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Re: GDB plugin proposal
- From: Fernando Nasser <fnasser at redhat dot com>
- To: Scott Moser <ssmoser at us dot ibm dot com>
- Cc: gdb at sources dot redhat dot com
- Date: Mon, 22 Apr 2002 19:39:06 -0400
- Subject: Re: GDB plugin proposal
- Organization: Red Hat Canada
- References: <Pine.LNX.4.43.0204221731440.569-100000@brickies.austin.ibm.com>
Scott Moser wrote:
>
> - From what I understand (not a lawyer), modules would be required to
> be GPLed for a few reasons:
> 1. to call 'add_cmd' you need to include gdbcmd.h , which is GPLed
Leave the call to add_cmd() inside gdb, in the code that loads a
plug-in.
So, your plug-in code just provides a description in a standard format
and does not have to include the GPL'ed header file.
Besides, we may change add_cmd() and plug-ins would stop working, so it
is
better to define and interface at a higher level of abstraction anyway.
> 4. the README from gdb/gdbtk/library/plugins/HOW-TO mentions "As the
> plug-ins will be loaded into Insight/GDB for execution, the terms of
> the GPL also apply to the plug-in code." I believe the same would
> apply for plugins of this nature.
I wrote that based on list discussions (among Engineers, mind you -- not
lawyers). It is based on the assumption that only general purpose
libraries
that are part of the standard OS distribution (or a major component) can
be binary only. But that is the conservative approach.
> - if 'plugin unload' proves difficult (at first glance, it seems maybe), it
> could possibly be left out, as loading and unloading doesn't provide much
> foreseeable benefit
Someone can have created user defined commands, added commands to
breakpoints
etc. It can be done but will require a major rewrite of CLI code. I
also
believe it does not add much and doesn't worth the effort.
> - Its possible that GDB would eventually want to allow an LGPL like
> interface for plugins so that binary only plugins could be created.
>
We are trying to create a libgdb which would be used to create the
interactive debugger as well as be incorporated into other tools.
Once this is achieved, the possibility of making the libgdb a LGPL'ed
library will have to be discussed.
--
Fernando Nasser
Red Hat Canada Ltd. E-Mail: fnasser@redhat.com
2323 Yonge Street, Suite #300
Toronto, Ontario M4P 2C9