The State Of GNU's GDB Conversion To C++

Last year the GNU Debugger's code-base was converted from the C programming language (C90) to now using C++11. At last month's GNU Tools Cauldron was an update on this process.

Since the end of last year, the GNU GDB Debugger has required a C++ compiler. The conversion from using C90 to C++11 was done in order to make the code-base more robust, easier to maintain, and lower the barrier for entry to new developers. More details on this long process is outlined via the GDB cxx-conversion page.

At this year's Cauldron, Red Hat's Pedro Alves offered the latest on GDB's use of C++. Moving forward, GDB will wait at least three years before beginning to require a particular GCC/C++ compiler version.

C++ developers interested in learning the ins and outs of GDB's reworked code-base can see the PDF presentation slides or the video presentation.