exterminator

Deadly ex-perimental termin-al debugger (it's an ncurses front-end for GDB). Written in C99.

Why can't I just have GDB with a better (Turbo C style) UI and less typing?

goals

• runs on GNU/Linux
• interactive visual output
• loads immediately, no mess, no fuss
• runs super-fast - instant stepping, quick key commands
• no dependencies or middleware beyond GDB and ncurses

platforms

• GNU/Linux

major to-dos

• goto line button
• source files browser on left hand side bar
• side-by-side asm (later)
• memory inspection window (later)

status

• most important features working but not robust
• starts a debugging session, loads text of main file, allows visual breakpoints, run, step, step-in, gdb console, watch list, stack trace
• no file browser yet
• string lengths and malloc need sanitation to crash-proof it

building instructions

make

basic usage

• maximise your terminal window and/or reduce font size to fit more on display
• launch with: ./exterminator target_prog [targetargs]
• source file containing entry point is immediately displayed.
• scroll through lines with cursor keys
• set a break point with b. you will see break points displayed in the margin.
• run debug session press r
• step to the next line press spacebar or n
• step into a function with s
• add a variable to the watch list with w
• type more detailed commands by opening GDB terminal g.
• press ESC to leave GDB terminal mode
• press ESC to quit programme