GDB how to set break point in linked files?

Question

So lets say I have my main file: main.c, linked with file1.c and file2.c where file1 and file2 include their header files: file1.h, file2.h

I compiled them together like so:

gcc main.c file1.c file2.c

which creates the ./a.out executable to be run.

In GDB how do I set a break point in my main.c? I've tried

b main.c

which gave me this output:

Make break-point pending on future shared library load? yes or no

to which I responded yes but it never sets a break-point anywhere even after I say b 232 : the line number, I even tried b main 232 and b main.c 232 but non of these work either..

Answer 1

What you want is the following (see GDB doc ):

break main.c:232

And don't forget to compile with -g , otherwise line number information will not be present in the generated program.

Answer 2

As an alternative to @MarcoBonelli's answer you can use

break main.c:main

or since there cannot be more than one main function in a project you can simply use

break main

this has the advantage of not having to search for the line number.