Re: Fixing "Unrecognized File Format"? (I'm desperate for help)

[Daniel Jacobowitz <drow at mvista dot com>]

On Thu, Nov 21, 2002 at 09:23:43AM +0100, James Sampson wrote:
> Howdi
> 
> When I use "file a.out" I get "Unrecognized File Format". This is because my 
> code is target specific, and in a format that the GDB doesn't understand. The 
> file is a COFF file however, which is supported, but perhaps some variant 
> which the GDB unfortunately doesn't understand.
> 
> I've posted a lot about this here and received help from a couple of good 
> samaritans, and so far it seems like a big job to get his working. I found 
> something however, which leads me to believe that I have expressed my problem 
> incorrectly - See this quote from the following link:
> 
> *///////////////////////////////////////////////
> When adding support for a new target machine, there are various areas of 
> support that might need change, or might be OK.
> 
> If you are using an existing object file format (a.out or COFF), there is 
> probably little to be done. See `bfd/doc/bfd.texinfo' for more information on 
> writing new a.out or COFF versions.
> 
> Link: http://css.sfu.ca/nsg/cssnetdocs/doc/gdbint/gdbint_8.html
> *///////////////////////////////////////////////
> 
> Is the above correct, when my problem is that the GDB doesn't recognize my 
> a.out?
> 
> If some of you have experience in how to do this, I would really appreciate 
> some help.

James,

As I've been repeatedly saying, there is no easy way out.  We
understand what you're trying to do.  You still need to do everything
above the bit you quoted.  Also note that the documentation you're
reading there is out of date and has been improved.  That copy is four
and a half years old.

-- 
Daniel Jacobowitz
MontaVista Software                         Debian GNU/Linux Developer