ocamldebug

ocamldebug [options] program [arguments]

-I directory
    Add directory to the list of directories searched for source files.

-c filename
    Load commands from filename at startup.

-s socket
    Use socket for communication (for remote debugging).

-port port_number
    Use port_number for communication (alternative to -s).

-emacs
    Run in Emacs mode (for integration with Emacs).

program
    The OCaml executable file to be debugged.

arguments
    Arguments passed to the OCaml program.

ocamldebug is a powerful command-line tool that allows developers to interactively debug OCaml programs. It enables stepping through code, setting breakpoints, inspecting variables, and evaluating expressions.

Unlike traditional debuggers that operate at the machine code level, ocamldebug works directly with the source code, providing a more intuitive debugging experience for OCaml developers. It supports various debugging features such as backtracing, conditional breakpoints, and the ability to modify the execution environment at runtime.

Using ocamldebug helps to identify and fix errors efficiently, improving the quality and reliability of OCaml applications. It works on executables compiled with debug information and uses this information to map program execution to the original source code.

Debugging requires the program to be compiled with debugging information (using the -g flag during compilation). Performance can be significantly affected during debugging.

break: Set a breakpoint at a specific location.
run: Start or continue execution.
next: Step to the next line of code.
step: Step into a function call.
print: Print the value of a variable.
backtrace: Display the call stack.
goto: jump program counter to specified location

The -emacs option allows ocamldebug to be used seamlessly within Emacs. This provides a graphical debugging environment with source code highlighting and other features.

ocamldebug has been a core part of the OCaml toolchain since its early days. It evolved alongside the language, adding support for new features and improvements to the debugging experience.

It has been a crucial tool for OCaml developers to understand and correct issues during the development of OCaml software.

ocamlc(1), ocamlopt(1), gdb(1)