dwarf-debug-format

name

dwarf-debug-format

description

DWARF debug format skill for understanding debug information. Use when inspecting DWARF sections with dwarfdump, working with split DWARF (.dwo files), setting up debuginfod for remote symbol resolution, or understanding how DWARF interacts with LTO and symbol stripping. Activates on queries about DWARF, .debug_info, .debug_line, dwarfdump, split DWARF, .dwo files, debuginfod, or debug info stripping.

DWARF Debug Format

Purpose

Guide agents through understanding and working with DWARF debug information: the key DWARF sections, using dwarfdump and readelf for inspection, split DWARF (.dwo files), debuginfod for remote symbol servers, and how LTO and stripping affect debug info.

Triggers

• "What are the DWARF sections in an ELF binary?"
• "How do I inspect DWARF debug info in a binary?"
• "How does split DWARF work?"
• "How do I set up debuginfod for automatic debug symbols?"
• "Why does GDB say 'no debugging symbols found'?"
• "How does LTO affect DWARF debug information?"

Workflow

1. DWARF sections overview

# Show all sections in a binary (including DWARF)
readelf -S prog | grep "\.debug"

# Common DWARF sections:
# .debug_info      — types, variables, functions (DIEs — Debug Info Entries)
# .debug_abbrev    — abbreviation table for .debug_info encoding
# .debug_line      — line number table (source line → address mapping)
# .debug_str       — string table for identifiers
# .debug_loc       — location expressions (where variables live)
# .debug_ranges    — non-contiguous address ranges for CUs