Native Inspect Manual (H06.04+)

Using Native Inspect With COBOL Programs
Native Inspect Manual—528122-005
3-9
Machine-Level Debugging
Machine-Level Debugging
Native Inspect provides a full set of commands for machine-level debugging. These
commands enable you to perform such low-level tasks as examining memory,
examining registers, and listing machine-level instructions. One such command, the x
command, provides a special form for use with COBOL programs. The x command,
when used with the ADDRESS OF clause, is useful for generating memory dumps.
This command has the form
x /format ADDRESS OF variable
where format specifies a repeat count, the format to use, and the size of the variable
to be examined; and variable is a variable to be used as the starting address of the
memory dump.
For more information about the x command, see x command on page 4-80.
Execution Control
You control execution of a program by setting breakpoints at locations in the program
where you want execution to be suspended. As discussed previously, you can identify
locations in a COBOL program using program unit and paragraph names, in addition to
source line numbers. Once program execution is suspended, you resume execution by
entering a continue command.
A program executes until it:
•
Encounters a breakpoint
•
Calls the DEBUG or PROCESS_DEBUG_ procedure
•
Generates a trap
•
Terminates
You can also use the following Native Inspect commands to incrementally advance
program execution:
•
step command. This command advances program execution one verb at a time.
Execution steps into any PERFORM or program unit invocations executed within
the step range.
•
next command. This command advances program execution one verb at a time.
Execution steps over any PERFORM or program unit invocations executed within
the step range.
•
finish command. This command executes the current process until execution either
returns from the current program unit or encounters a debugging event.