.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0

============================================
Debugging advice for Linux Kernel developers
============================================

general guides
--------------

.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1

   driver_development_debugging_guide
   gdb-kernel-debugging
   kgdb
   userspace_debugging_guide

subsystem specific guides
-------------------------

.. toctree::
   :maxdepth: 1

   media_specific_debugging_guide

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.

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