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[WIP][RFC] Add a mini-guide for debugging packages and programs, to help with better issue reports #530

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@ericonr ericonr commented Dec 2, 2020

Some of this might fit better in void-packages, like Issue templates and such. I'm open to suggestions.

Just use a void-docs.md file directly.
- `backtrace`, which shows the function calls made until the application got to
that place;
- `info threads`, which shows information about threads in the program;
- `break <function>`, which puts a breakpoint in a function that you may think

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I don't think any of this is nessecary.

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Perhaps keep only the backtrace part? Because that's what we want to get if someone says "this segfaults when I launch it".

Comment on lines 40 to 41
for example, to access files that don't exist, and their programmer didn't
implement a proper fallback or error message.

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Could be shortened.

Comment on lines 49 to 51
GDB is especially useful when an application crashes with `SIGABRT` or `SIGSEGV`
(see [signal(7)](https://man.voidlinux.org/signal.7), since it will stop
execution at that point and you can print a backtrace showing all the function

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Don't think this is needed either

Comment on lines 33 to 34
After this is done, check if the issue persists. It should be noted that issues
like this can indicate hardware issues in your storage media or RAM.

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It might, but it also might not. I feel like this would lead to a lot of people going OH NO MY RAM IS DEAD when they actually powered off the computer in the middle of an upgrade or smth.

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Good point.

src/contributing/debug.md Outdated Show resolved Hide resolved

## Look at error messages attentively THIS NEEDS WORK

Python programs, for example, complain loudly about missing modules and other

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Maybe a list of different types of programs? I don't like this format.

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I'm making a second version.

Comment on lines +55 to +59
```
$ DEBUGINFOD_URLS="https://debugingod.s.voidlinux.org" gdb --args <program> [arguments]
```

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  1. This is not an example, its more of a 'syntax' i guess
  2. I would note the debuginfod server env variable to make it work separately.

Comment on lines 5 to 7
If you find an issue with a package and you manage to fix it, you can add your
solution to the official package repository. New packages and updates are also
welcome! To contribute to the Void packages repository, start by reading the

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Wordy

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Indeed, but I'm not sure I improved it.

Comment on lines 13 to 15
void-packages repository. This makes maintainers aware of the issue, allows
others to fix it, and can work as a place for anyone to share workarounds in the
meantime. Remember to check the existing issues for your problem! There are also

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This sentence could be shortened to something like 'This gives the problem visibility to expedite fixing' or something like that

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I moved it around a bit, not 100% sure yet.

void-packages repository. This makes maintainers aware of the issue, allows
others to fix it, and can work as a place for anyone to share workarounds in the
meantime. Remember to check the existing issues for your problem! There are also
some [things you can do to improve your bug report](./debug.md).

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improve your bug report could be changed to something along the lines of assist us in finding the probelm

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Done.

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ericonr commented Dec 7, 2020

@fosslinux thanks for the review! I have updated it.

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2 participants