How to Use GDB with Rust Programs

Compile your Rust program with debug symbols using cargo build and attach GDB to the resulting binary in the target/debug directory.

cargo build
gdb ./target/debug/your_binary_name

Inside GDB, set a breakpoint on your main function and run the program:

(gdb) break main
(gdb) run

If you need custom pretty-printers for Rust types, use the gdb_script_file attribute in your code and source the script in GDB:

#[debugger_visualizer(gdb_script_file = "path/to/your_script.py")]

Then in GDB:

(gdb) source path/to/your_script.py

GDB is a tool that lets you pause your Rust program while it runs to inspect variables and find bugs. You must build your code with debug information included so GDB can map the running code back to your source files. Think of it like hitting pause on a video to look closely at a specific frame.