Thread: Meaning of 'debugging symbols' with respect to GDB

Wikipedia says:

A debug symbol is information that expresses which programming-language constructs generated a specific piece of machine code in a given executable module.

1. Any examples of what kind of programming-language constructs are used for the purpose?
2. What is the meaning of "constructs" in this context? Functions?

Please try to explain in detail.

Originally Posted by AnishaKaul

Wikipedia says:


1. Any examples of what kind of programming-language constructs are used for the purpose?
2. What is the meaning of "constructs" in this context? Functions?

Please try to explain in detail.

That means that you'll be able to see the actual variables and syntax, instead of just memory addresses, when debugging.

Thanks, but replies weren't `too` helpful.
Anyway, can we "see" the debugging symbols somewhere, through GDB?
Perhaps I'll be able to understand them better then.

debugging - How does a debugger work? - Stack Overflow