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seer/README.md
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Introduction
============
Seer - a gui frontend to gdb for Linux. (Ernie Pasveer epasveer@att.net)
This project is actively worked on. The aim is a simple, yet pleasing gui to gdb.
Please report any bugs or desired features to my email or create a [task](https://github.com/epasveer/seer/issues) in my
GitHub project page.
Requirements
============
* Linux
* C++17
* gdb with "mi" interpreter
* CMake (3.10 or newer)
* QT6
* When building Seer from source, you will need the QT6 "devel" packages installed on your system for your distribution.
* Core
* Gui
* Widgets
* PrintSupport
* Charts
* Svg
* Qt6 build instructions are here: https://github.com/epasveer/seer/wiki/Building-Seer---Qt6
* QT5
* For the time being, Seer can still be built with Qt5.
* Qt5 build instructions are here: https://github.com/epasveer/seer/wiki/Building-Seer---Qt5
NEWS
====
Check out [Seer's Wiki page](https://github.com/epasveer/seer/wiki) on github.
* Version v1.17 will be the last Qt5 release.
* The next release will be v2.0 and will be Qt6 based. However, for the time being, it's still able to be compiled with Qt5.
* If you want the latest stable Qt5 source, grab v1.17 from here: https://github.com/epasveer/seer/releases/tag/v1.17
GUI overview
============
Examples of the various Seer views and dialogs.
Main View
---------
The main view for Seer looks like this:
![](images/mainview.png)
* Source/Function/Types/Variables/Libraries
* The list of source/header files that were used in the program.
* Search for Functions, Types, and Static Variables.
Dobule clicking will open the source file.
* The list of shared libraries referenced by the program.
* The list of source/header files can be searched. This will "shrink" the list of files shown.
* Double clicking on a file will open it in the Code Manager.
* Variable/Register Info
* Show variable and register values.
* "Logger" - log the value of a variable. Manually enter it or double click on the variable in the file
that is opened in the code manager.
* "Tracker" - create a list of variables to show the value for whenever gdb reaches a stopping point
(step, next, finish, etc.). When the stopping point is reached, all variables in the list will show
their potentially new value.
* "Registers" - show the values of all cpu registers.
* Code Manager.
* The large area of the middle part of the Seer gui.
* Source files are opened in this view.
* Text in a file can be seached for with ^F.
* Variables can be added to the "Logger" by double clicking the variable name.
Double click with CTLR key pressed will prepend variable with "*".
Double click with SHIFT key pressed will prepend variable with "&".
Double click with CTRL+SHIFT key pressed will prepend variable with "*&".
* Variables can be added to the "Tracker" by selecting the variable name and RMB and select
"Add variable to Tracker".
* Variables can be added to the "Memory Visualizer" by selecting the variable name and RMB and select
"Add variable to Memory Visualizer".
* A breakpoint/printpoint can be created by RMB on a specific line.
* Can execute to a specific line by RMB on a specific line.
* Tabs in this view can be detached by double-clicking a tab.
* Breakpoints, Watchpoints, Catchpoints, Printpoints, manual gdb commands, and logs.
* The area below the Code Manager.
* Manual commands. Manually enter a gdb or gdbmi command.
The commands are remembered for the next Seer use.
* Breakpoint manager. Create and manage breakpoints.
* Watchpoint manager. Create and manage watchpoints.
A watchpoint monitors when a variable is accessed (read, write, read/write).
* Catchpoint manager. Create and manage catchpoints.
A catchpoint stops execution on a C++ throw/rethrow/catch call.
* Printpoint manager. Create and manage printpoints.
A printpoint is like a breakpoint but it allows you to print variables at
that printpoint. See gdb's 'dprintf' call.
* GDB output. A log of any output from the gdb program itself.
* Seer output. A log of any output from the Seer program itself. As diagnostics.
* Tabs in this view can be detached by double-clicking a tab.
* Stack frame information.
* Stack frame list. A frame can be double clicked to change the scope (the current function).
* Stack frame arguments. For each frame, print the arguments passed to each function.
* Stack locals. For the current function, print the values of the local variables.
* Thread information.
* Thread ids. A list of all threads. Double click on a thread id to change the scope (the current thread).
* Thread frames. For each thread, list its stack frames.
* Supports Gdb's Reverse Debugging mode.
* Turn instruction recording on or off.
* Set playback direction to forward or reverse.
Open Dialog
-----------
When the open executable dialog is invoked, it looks like this:
![](images/opendialog.png)
Seer Console
------------
All text output from the executable will go to the Seer console. Text input for the executable can be entered via the console too.
![](images/console.png)
Assembly View
-------------
Normally Seer will just show the source code as tabs in the Code Manager. The program's assembly can also be show as a tab.
Select "View->Assembly View" and an extra tab will be shown alongside the source code tabs that shows the current assembly being executed. Here is an example.
![](images/mainview_assemby.png )
Like the source code tabs, breakpoints can be set in the assembly tab. The current instruction is highlighted.
Double-clicking on entries in the "Breakpoints" tab and the "Stack frames" tab will show the assembly for those addresses.
There are "Nexti" and "Stepi" hot-keys, as defined by your config settings. Normally "Ctrl+F5" and "CTRL+F6".
Using "^F" in the assembly tab will show a powerful search bar.
**The assembly feature in Seer is new. Feel free to suggest changes/features.**
Memory Visualizer
-----------------
When looking at the contents of raw memory in the Memory Visualizer, it looks like this :
Memory | Disassembly
--- | ---
![](images/memoryvisualizer.png) | ![](images/memoryvisualizer_asm.png)
Array Visualizer
-----------------
When looking at the contents of arrays in the Array Visualizer, it looks like this :
Normal | Spline | Scatter
--- | --- | ---
![](images/arrayvisualizer.png) | ![](images/arrayvisualizer_spline.png) | ![](images/arrayvisualizer_scatter.png)
Two arrays can be used as an X-Y plot. For example, this simple 'points' array forms the X-Y outline of a shape.
```
int main() {
int points[] = {50,1,20,91,97,35,2,35,79,91,50,1};
return 0;
}
```
X values | Y values | XY Values
--- | --- | ---
![](images/arrayvisualizer_x.png) | ![](images/arrayvisualizer_y.png) | ![](images/arrayvisualizer_xy.png)
Struct Visualizer
-----------------
When looking at the contents of a C/C++ struct or a C++ class in the Struct Visualizer, it looks like this.
This example shows the contents of "*this" for the current C++ class that Seer is in. All structure members
that are basic types can be edited.
![](images/structvisualizer.png)
There is also a **Basic Struct Visualizer** that is more light weight, but can not follow pointers and can not
be edited.
Image Visualizer
-----------------
When looking at the contents of raw memory that is an image, the Image Visualizer can be used.
![](images/imagevisualizer.png)
Starting Seer
=============
Seer is meant to easily start the program to debug from the command line. gdb has multiple
methods for debugging a program. So Seer naturally does too.
Go to the Wiki to see all the ways to run Seer.
https://github.com/epasveer/seer/wiki/Starting-Seer
Building Seer
=============
Go to the Wiki to see how to build Seer. Seer can be built with Qt6. As well, for the time being, it can still be built with Qt5.
https://github.com/epasveer/seer/wiki/Building-Seer---Qt6
</br>
https://github.com/epasveer/seer/wiki/Building-Seer---Qt5
Support/Contact
===============
Send an email to epasveer@att.net for any bugs or features. Or create a [task](https://github.com/epasveer/seer/issues)
in my GitHub project page.