The main difference between LLDB and GDB is that in LLDB, the programmer can debug programs written in C, Objective C and C++ while, in GDB, the programmer can debug programs written in Ada, C, C++, Objective C, Pascal, FORTRAN and Go.
Generally, a debugger is a computer program that helps to test and debug other programs. LLDB and GDB are two debuggers.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is LLDB
-Definition, Functionality
2. What is GDB
-Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between LLDB and GDB
-Comparison of key differences
Key Terms
Debugger, LLDB, GDB
What is LLDB
LLDB is a debugger of the LLVM project. It is a free and open-source software under the University of Illinois / NCSA Open Source License. Moreover, it is built as a set of reusable components. LLDB helps to debug various programs. Programmers can debug programs written in C, Objective C and C++. Furthermore, LLDB is the default debugger of Xcode 5 and newer versions. Additionally, IDEs such as Visual Studio Code and Eclipse supports LLDB.
What is GDB
GDB is also called the GNU Debugger. It is a portable debugger and it executes on various UNIX similar operating systems. It supports various programming languages such as C, C++ Objective C, Pascal, Go and FORTRAN. GDB debugger is capable of tracing and changing the execution of a computer program. The programmer can modify the values of the program’s internal variables. Furthermore, he can call the required functions. Additionally, version 7.0 provides support for reversible debugging. In other words, it allows a debugging session to step back or to rewind a crashed program to figure out what is the issue.
Overall, GDB helps to start a program and stop executing a program. It also allows examining what happened to the program and programmers can change the program. Programmer can correct one bug and then move on to the other etc.
Difference Between LLDB and GDB
Definition
LLDB is the debugger component of the LLVM project. But, GDB is a portable debugger that runs on many UNIX like systems and works for many programming languages. Thus, this is the main difference between LLDB and GDB.
Developer
LLVM Developer Group developed LLDB while GNU Project is the developer of GDB.
Written in
Another difference between LLDB and GDB is that LLDB is written in C++ whereas GDB is written in C.
Supporting languages
In LLDB, the programmer can debug programs written in C, Objective C and C++ whereas, in GDB, the programmer can debug programs written in Ada, C, C++, Objective C, Pascal, FORTRAN and Go.
Operating Systems
Moreover, LLDB works on operating systems such as macOS i386 and x86-64, Linux, FreeBSD, Windows. On the other hand, GDB works on operating systems such as UNIX and Windows.
Conclusion
In brief, LLDB and GDB are two debuggers. The main difference between LLDB and GDB is that in LLDB, the programmer can debug programs written in C, Objective C and C++ while, in GDB, the programmer can debug programs written in Ada, C, C++, Objective C, Pascal, FORTRAN and Go.
References:
1.“LLDB (Debugger).” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 June 2019, Available here.
2.“GNU Debugger.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 28 July 2019, Available here.
3.GDB: The GNU Project Debugger, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1.”Debugger” By Batka 3024 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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