Configure GDB pretty printer for Msys2

This is my way to use gdb python pretty printer for the libstdcxx under msys2. Suppose you use 64bit gcc compiler. My msys2 is installed under F:\msys64

In the Menu->Settings->Debugger settings. Open the debugger plugin setting dialog.

Then, in the "Executable path" field, select "F:\msys64\mingw64\bin\gdb.exe" in the "Debugger initialization commands" field, put the following text in the edit control.

source F:\msys64\mingw64\etc\gdbinit

I see that I have to modify the file "F:\msys64\mingw64\etc\gdbinit" file: below is the original code

python
import sys
sys.path.insert(0, sys.path[0] + '/../../gcc-9.2.0/python')
from libstdcxx.v6.printers import register_libstdcxx_printers
end

But you have to add one line before the "end" statement like below to let the register_libstdcxx_printers function get executed.

python
import sys
sys.path.insert(0, sys.path[0] + '/../../gcc-9.2.0/python')
from libstdcxx.v6.printers import register_libstdcxx_printers
register_libstdcxx_printers(None)
end

BTW: It is the same thing to add the python pretty printer for wxWidgets. You can use this file:

https://github.com/wxWidgets/wxWidgets/blob/master/misc/gdb/print.py

Use predefined macros for the paths

Under Code::Blocks, you can used some predefined path macros.

For example, you don't need to write

source F:\msys64\mingw64\etc\gdbinit

Instead, you can use this:

source $(TARGET_COMPILER_DIR)etc\gdbinit

Since you have already defined the compiler master path in the "Menu->Settings->Compiler->Toolchain executables" as "F:\msys2\mingw64", so the second way is more portable. Also, to mention gdb.exe, you can use

$(TARGET_COMPILER_DIR)bin\gdb.exe

Add the pretty printer for wxWidgets

Here is the full gdbinit content when using latest gcc under msys2/mingw64

python
import sys
sys.path.insert(0, sys.path[0] + '/../../gcc-12.2.0/python')
from libstdcxx.v6.printers import register_libstdcxx_printers
register_libstdcxx_printers (None)

sys.path.insert(0, sys.path[0] + '/../../../etc')
import wxprint

end

Note that the two lines were added to the original gdbinit(note once you use pacman to upgrade you gcc, this gdbinit file will get overwritten)

sys.path.insert(0, sys.path[0] + '/../../../etc')
import wxprint

Here, the "wxprint" is a file named "wxprint.py", which is just the same file as: https://github.com/wxWidgets/wxWidgets/blob/master/misc/gdb/print.py, I just put this "wxprint.py" in the same folder as the gdbinit file.

Useful Links

Debugger: use gdb python pretty printer for the libstdcxx under msys2