[ECOS] Re: VxWorks type embedded "shell" for eCos

[Kelvin Lawson <klawson at ad-holdings dot co dot uk>]

Coming from a VxWorks background this is also something I miss. Because 
of this I wrote a similar shell for Nucleus in a previous job, so I may 
be able to help.

My favourite feature was the ability to call C functions from the shell, 
and I liked having access to the symbol table. Good integration of the 
symbol table and shell is useful, so you can use symbol names instead of 
addresses in breakpoint calls, spawned C functions, setting variable 
values etc.

Cheers,
Kelvin.


Jeffrey R. Szczepanski wrote:

> For people interested in a target debugger/shell capabilities under eCos:
>
> The reason for my note here is to gauge interest in the set of capabilities
> normally associated with the VxWorks target shell type functionality. I
> would envision this as a new package for eCos that would allow users to
> configure in a target debugger/shell that is driven from the executable's
> symbol table information. Some initial capabilities might include:
>
>     - calling arbitrary (public) C functions from the command line, with
> arguments/symbols of choice
>     - lookup symbols in the symbol table
>     - spawn threads
>     - pause/resume threads
>     - dump memory, and edit memory locations
>     - list information about all runnning threads (dump the task table)
>     - Uses any configured stdin/stdout based device for I/O
>     - dump stacks, disassemble memory
>     - etc.
>
> Searching the discussion group history there seemed to be some discussion on
> this in the past - mixed opinions on the general need/desire for such a
> capability to a wider audience. Personally, I think this would be a really
> nice enhancement to the eCos enviroment if this evolved into a new package
> that could be configured into an eCos build.
>
> Point in fact, I have already implemented a basic version of several of the
> above capabilities for my own use and am considering opening it up to the
> community at large. So at this point, I am looking for feedback from people
> (to the group or to me directly) about their interest in using such a
> package and/or contributing to such a package.
>
> Best Regards,
> Jeff
>
> =================================
> Jeffrey R. Szczepanski, jrs@inscitek.com
> InSciTek Microsystems, Inc.
> www.inscitek.com



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