# 209: Debuggerception

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2017-08-03
- Length: 53m
- Episode: 209
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception
- Listen: https://makingembeddedsystems.libsyn.com/209-debuggerception

## Summary

Pierre-Marie de Rodat, a software engineer at AdaCore, explains the inner workings of debuggers, focusing on how GDB uses DWARF debug information to interpret program state. He details how compilers generate this metadata to allow debuggers to handle optimizations and complex types, and discusses the use of Python scripting in GDB for custom pretty printers. The conversation also covers code coverage tools like GNATcoverage and the AdaCore-sponsored Make with Ada competition.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception#t=6) Introduction: Pierre-Marie de Rodat and AdaCore
- [4:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception#t=283) Debuggers as Glass Boxes: Stopping and Inspecting Execution
- [11:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception#t=707) DWARF Debug Information and Compiler Interaction
- [26:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception#t=1568) GDB Features: Python Scripting and Pretty Printers
- [42:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception#t=2557) GNATcoverage and Code Coverage Reporting
- [48:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception#t=2892) Make with Ada Competition and STM32 Ethernet Driver

## Topics

- [Debugging & failure analysis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/debugging-and-failure-analysis)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)
- [EDA & CAD tools](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/eda-and-cad-tools)
- [Chips, FPGAs & semiconductors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/chips-and-fpgas)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- AdaCore (company)
- GDB (tool)
- DWARF (other)
- GNATcoverage (tool)
- STM32 (chip)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Debugger-Driven Development](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2025-06-16-debugger-driven-development) (Oxide and Friends)
- [What's a bug? What's a debugger?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2021-06-22-whats-a-bug-whats-a-debugger) (Oxide and Friends)
- [Debugging Methodologies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-05-17-debugging-methodologies) (Oxide and Friends)
- [An Interview with Scott Shawcroft](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-amp-hour/2018-03-12-an-interview-with-scott-shawcroft) (The Amp Hour)
- [A Debugging Odyssey](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2022-12-19-a-debugging-odyssey) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-08-03-209-debuggerception. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.