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I ran the configure script with the --enable-debug flag, then ran make. I am running unit tests:

gdb --args src/test/test_bitcoin --log_level=all --run_test=script_standard_tests

I'm trying to step through the execution of the source files using gdb, but I am still getting <optimized out> for many variables, and it skips lines here and there. I thought that the --enable-debug flag would turn off optimization, but am I mistaken? I'm wondering if the optimization is always on for the tests or if there is a way to turn them off.

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

Bitcoin Core disables -O2 and enables -Og when --enable-debug is set. -Og is intended for debugging; however, it removes some of the debugging information and is buggy. To disable it and to improve debugging experience, I suggest changing between L256 and L278 to:

CXXFLAGS="-ggdb3 -ftrapv"

-ggdb3 is more powerful than -g3, it uses a GDB-only, LLDB-incompatible dialect for debugging. This will also get rid of -O2, except in libsecp256k1.

Edit: Sipa suggests a more elegant way without altering autoconf files, which is adding args for configuring.

./configure CXXFLAGS="-O0 -ggdb3"

O0 is needed in this case.

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  • Nice workaround, thanks. I'm still getting <optimized out>, though, I must be missing something.
    – JBaczuk
    Nov 21, 2018 at 16:24
  • Now it is showing all variables. I must've not recompiled the file correctly.
    – JBaczuk
    Nov 21, 2018 at 16:39
  • Glad that I could help! :)
    – MCCCS
    Nov 21, 2018 at 16:40
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    Also there is no need to modify configure.ac, you can override things on the command line by using ./configure CXXFLAGS="-O0 -ggdb3" ....
    – Pieter Wuille
    Nov 21, 2018 at 17:51
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    @MCCCS But --enable-debug will pass -Og which overrides the -O0 default.
    – Pieter Wuille
    Nov 21, 2018 at 18:00
1

As of PR #16435 --enable-debug is actually setting "-O0", so there should be no optimization at all anymore.

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