Re: info on System.map

From: Albert D. Cahalan (acahalan@cs.uml.edu)
Date: Sat May 13 2000 - 00:28:33 EST


Adam writes:
> [Vinodkumar Parasmal]

>> i just wanted to know what is the significance of the
>> System.map file which is present in the /boot directory ? .I see
>> that it contains a list with three columns .
>> coul someone describe what each column represents.

Don't forget the screwy Alpha, with a 2-column machine-type header
at the top of the file. (would love to know why...)

> Thus they let you determine what the function is from address in
> memory. For example I believe 'ps' makes use of such information
> (though it probably rather uses /proc/ksyms nowdays) when it
> displays where given process is at given time

Sadly, 'ps' must use both /proc/ksyms and the System.map file.
Even this isn't really enough, but it will have to do. We all
get to enjoy missing and/or misleading WCHAN data, with the
non-Debian users getting silent errors.

Suggestion: don't even try to parse these files unless you really
desperately need to get the data. The formats are NOT obvious,
and in fact are not even defined in a stable or portable manner.

-
To unsubscribe from this list: send the line "unsubscribe linux-kernel" in
the body of a message to majordomo@vger.rutgers.edu
Please read the FAQ at http://www.tux.org/lkml/



This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon May 15 2000 - 21:00:22 EST