GDB Debugging Cheatsheet

Essential GDB commands and techniques for effective C/C++ debugging

Quick Start: Compile with debug symbols using gcc -g program.c, then run gdb ./a.out to start debugging.

Basic Commands

Essential

gdb program

Start GDB with a program

Example: gdb ./myapp

gdb program core

Debug with core dump

Example: gdb ./myapp core

gdb -p PID

Attach to running process

Example: gdb -p 12345

run [args]

Start program execution

Example: run arg1 arg2

continue (c)

Continue execution after breakpoint

quit (q)

Exit GDB

help [command]

Get help for commands

Example: help breakpoint

set args [args]

Set program arguments

Example: set args -v file.txt

show args

Display current arguments

file program

Load executable file

Example: file ./debug_version

💡 Pro Tip: Use Tab for auto-completion and ↑/↓ for command history

📖 For more details: man gdb or info gdb