GDB Doesn't Recognize Core File Format

J

J. D. Leach

I am not sure whether this would be considered off topic or not, but here
goes.....don't flame me too bad.

Running GNU GCC 4.0.1 and GDB 6.3. Was checking my compiler and debugger
output prior to doing some coding in C when I discovered that GDB doesn't
recognize the format of core dumps when I inject a segmentation fault. Was
able to to set ulimit and get the dump OK, but when I tried to gather the
error info by typing the following command: gdb ./crash_and_burn.c core, I
get an error stating that the core file is in an unrecognized format.

Come from a VB6 environment and am trying to learn C using the CLI and basic
tools and functions. I seem to understand the material a little better when
typing in the commands, and using a procedural technique, versus point and
click and objects (must be from when I worked with mainframes with the
military during the 70's).
--
J. D. Leach
Columbus, Indiana USA

Linux/Open Source Computer using:
Mandriva Linux release 2006.0 (Community) for i586 kernel 2.6.12-12mdk
 
L

loic-dev

Hello,
I am not sure whether this would be considered off topic or not, but here
goes.....don't flame me too bad.

Yes, that's OT. This NG is dedicated to the ISO C standard, and
problems related to C programming. You should post on a dedicated NG
for Linux development like comp.os.linux.development.apps for instance.

Running GNU GCC 4.0.1 and GDB 6.3. Was checking my compiler and debugger
output prior to doing some coding in C when I discovered that GDB doesn't
recognize the format of core dumps when I inject a segmentation fault. Was
able to to set ulimit and get the dump OK, but when I tried to gather the
error info by typing the following command: gdb ./crash_and_burn.c core, I
get an error stating that the core file is in an unrecognized format.

Wrong. This should be:
$ gdb executable core

where /executable/ is the name of the executable (and not the name of
the source file!) and /core/ the name of the core file.

HTH,
Loic.
 
J

J. D. Leach

Hello,


Yes, that's OT. This NG is dedicated to the ISO C standard, and
problems related to C programming. You should post on a dedicated NG
for Linux development like comp.os.linux.development.apps for instance.



Wrong. This should be:
$ gdb executable core

where /executable/ is the name of the executable (and not the name of
the source file!) and /core/ the name of the core file.

HTH,
Loic.

Thanks. That was the problem. Using some old programming texts and the
examples (this one anyway) are in error. In future will also post to the
Linux newsgroup.

I must be getting old and dotty. Incidences of cranio-rectal inversion are
becoming all too frequent.
 
A

Al Balmer

I am not sure whether this would be considered off topic or not, but here
goes.....don't flame me too bad.

I don't know how you could be at all unsure that this is not off topic
in a newsgroup about the C language. You need a group dealing with the
implementation and operating system you're using. For lack of any
other clues, I suggest you do a Google Groups search.
 
J

J. D. Leach

Al said:
I don't know how you could be at all unsure that this is not off topic
in a newsgroup about the C language. You need a group dealing with the
implementation and operating system you're using. For lack of any
other clues, I suggest you do a Google Groups search.

Let's see....hmmmmm. The language I am using is C, the debugger and compiler
are used extensively for C, the test program was C. The text from which the
testing procedure was based on, is a C programming volume (albeit heavily
tilted toward *nix). It seemed reasonable given the veritable plethora of
NG's from which to choose that a C specific group could at minimum point me
in the right direction.
Additionally, after joining this group approximately 3 weeks ago and viewing
some of the posts, I did not feel the request for information was anymore
asinine than others I have seen.

Furthermore, I am slinging a little code as a hobby and as a pleasant
diversion. An intellectual exercise to keep the synapses in trim, if you
will. I do not code for a living, nor do I spend great quantities of time
with my mug affixed to a computer screen, ergo I was not aware
comp.os.linux.development existed. Due to the kindly advice provided by
another NG member, I was politely advised of not only my error in posting,
but of where such requests may be directed. Future posts concerning
compiling and debugging issues I may encounter will be directed there.
 
A

Al Balmer

Let's see....hmmmmm. The language I am using is C, the debugger and compiler
are used extensively for C, the test program was C. The text from which the
testing procedure was based on, is a C programming volume (albeit heavily
tilted toward *nix).

It would take little research in this group to show that this
particular argument bears no weight here. Your problem has nothing to
do with the language.
It seemed reasonable given the veritable plethora of
NG's from which to choose that a C specific group could at minimum point me
in the right direction.
Additionally, after joining this group approximately 3 weeks ago and viewing
some of the posts, I did not feel the request for information was anymore
asinine than others I have seen.

You have just shown one of the reasons why we try to be strict
regarding topicality. The more that off-topic questions are allowed,
the more other correspondents think it's OK.
Furthermore, I am slinging a little code as a hobby and as a pleasant
diversion. An intellectual exercise to keep the synapses in trim, if you
will. I do not code for a living, nor do I spend great quantities of time
with my mug affixed to a computer screen, ergo I was not aware
comp.os.linux.development existed.

Which is precisely why I suggested a Google Groups search. From it,
you could have learned about not only comp.os.linux.development but
probably other venues which might be useful and educational. "Teach a
man to fish ..." Your post did not indicate that you needed perpetual
hand-holding.
Due to the kindly advice provided by
another NG member, I was politely advised of not only my error in posting,
but of where such requests may be directed. Future posts concerning
compiling and debugging issues I may encounter will be directed there.

You were told only about one possibility. The Usenet universe is large
and diverse, and exploring can be both usefule and entertaining.
 
J

J. D. Leach

Al said:
It would take little research in this group to show that this
particular argument bears no weight here. Your problem has nothing to
do with the language.


You have just shown one of the reasons why we try to be strict
regarding topicality. The more that off-topic questions are allowed,
the more other correspondents think it's OK.

Which is precisely why I suggested a Google Groups search. From it,
you could have learned about not only comp.os.linux.development but
probably other venues which might be useful and educational. "Teach a
man to fish ..." Your post did not indicate that you needed perpetual
hand-holding.

Could you be a little more brusque and belittling? I sometimes don't do
subtlety very well.

Your arrogance and condescension is breathtaking. Had a professor at school
some years back who conducted himself in much the same way as you have
responded when he addressed student questions. Brilliant and very talented
man. Published several software books through Sam's and other publishing
houses. His tact (lack of) promoted a precipitous drop in enrollment in the
CS classes he conducted. When he finally moved on to another campus, the
relief of the student body at large was palpable.
His difficulty in dealing with the kids was that he forgot what it was like
to learn something new. He had dwelt in the digital world for so long that
he assumed too much knowledge, experience, and skill, of his charges. What
he needed to remind himself, and what I had to learn when managing my own
firm in another industry, is to not assume much at all. Above all else, one
has to remember that in software, as in virtually all other disciplines, it
is the people that make it go.
 
R

Richard Heathfield

J. D. Leach said:
Al Balmer wrote:


Could you be a little more brusque and belittling?

Yes, he can. :)

[a prof] assumed too much knowledge, experience, and skill, of his
charges.

It's an easy trap to fall into, as is the opposite - assuming that one's
students are so dim that one has to go vveerryy sslloowwllyy if they are to
keep up. Striking the right balance is not easy.
 
A

Al Balmer

Could you be a little more brusque and belittling? I sometimes don't do
subtlety very well.

Well, yes. I could have assumed that you were a dimwit incapable of
learning. Instead, I'm assuming that you have the intelligence to
educate yourself with minimal supervision. If you consider that
belittling, you have problems I'm not qualified to advise on.

As for brusque, I don't have time for pussy-footing and beating around
the bush. Sorry.
 

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