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diff --git a/Documentation/process/debugging/index.rst b/Documentation/process/debugging/index.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..f6e4a00dfee3 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/process/debugging/index.rst @@ -0,0 +1,78 @@ +.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0 + +============================================ +Debugging advice for Linux Kernel developers +============================================ + +general guides +-------------- + +.. toctree:: + :maxdepth: 1 + + driver_development_debugging_guide + userspace_debugging_guide + +.. only:: subproject and html + +subsystem specific guides +------------------------- + +.. toctree:: + :maxdepth: 1 + + media_specific_debugging_guide + +.. only:: subproject and html + + Indices + ======= + + * :ref:`genindex` + +General debugging advice +======================== + +Depending on the issue, a different set of tools is available to track down the +problem or even to realize whether there is one in the first place. + +As a first step you have to figure out what kind of issue you want to debug. +Depending on the answer, your methodology and choice of tools may vary. + +Do I need to debug with limited access? +--------------------------------------- + +Do you have limited access to the machine or are you unable to stop the running +execution? + +In this case your debugging capability depends on built-in debugging support of +provided distribution kernel. +The :doc:`/process/debugging/userspace_debugging_guide` provides a brief +overview over a range of possible debugging tools in that situation. You can +check the capability of your kernel, in most cases, by looking into config file +within the /boot directory. + +Do I have root access to the system? +------------------------------------ + +Are you easily able to replace the module in question or to install a new +kernel? + +In that case your range of available tools is a lot bigger, you can find the +tools in the :doc:`/process/debugging/driver_development_debugging_guide`. + +Is timing a factor? +------------------- + +It is important to understand if the problem you want to debug manifests itself +consistently (i.e. given a set of inputs you always get the same, incorrect +output), or inconsistently. If it manifests itself inconsistently, some timing +factor might be at play. If inserting delays into the code does change the +behavior, then quite likely timing is a factor. + +When timing does alter the outcome of the code execution using a simple +printk() for debugging purposes may not work, a similar alternative is to use +trace_printk() , which logs the debug messages to the trace file instead of the +kernel log. + +**Copyright** ©2024 : Collabora |