Abstract for Common Debug Architecture Library Reference

This information supports IBM® z/OS® (5650-ZOS) and contains information about z/OS Run-Time Library Extensions.

Purpose of this information

This information is the reference for the Common Debug Architecture (CDA) libddpi library.

Who should read this information

This information is intended for programmers who will be developing program analysis applications and debugging applications for the IBM XL C/C++ compiler or the Enterprise COBOL compiler on the z/OS operating system. The libraries provided by CDA allow applications to create or query DWARF debugging information from ELF object files on the z/OS operating system.

How to use this information
It is assumed that you have a working knowledge of the following items:
  • The z/OS operating system
  • The libdwarf APIs
  • The libelf APIs
  • The ELF ABI
  • Writing debugging programs in C, C++ or COBOL on z/OS
  • The IBM z/OS Language Environment®
  • POSIX on z/OS
  • z/OS UNIX System Services shell
Terminology used in this information
This document uses the following terminology:
ABI
Application binary interface. A standard interface by which an application gains access to system services, such as the operating-system kernel. The ABI defines the API plus the machine language for a central processing unit (CPU) family. The ABI ensures runtime compatibility between application programs and computer systems that comply with the standard.
API
Application programming interface. An interface that allows an application program that is written in a high-level language to use specific data or functions of the operating system or another program. An extension to a standard DWARF API can include:
  • Extensions to standard DWARF files, objects, or operations
  • Additional objects or operations
object
In object-oriented design or programming, a concrete realization (instance) of a class that consists of data and the operations associated with that data. An object contains the instance data that is defined by the class, but the class owns the operations that are associated with the data. Objects described in this document are generally a type definition or data structure, a container for a callback function prototype, or items that have been added to a DWARF file.
operation
In object-oriented design or programming, a service that can be requested at the boundary of an object. Operations can modify an object or disclose information about an object.
Technical support

Additional technical support is available at z/OS XL C/C++ Support page. This page provides a portal with search capabilities to a large selection of technical support FAQs and other support documents.

For the latest information about z/OS XL C/C++, visit product page for z/OS XL C/C++

For information about boosting performance, productivity and portability, visit IBM Z and LinuxONE Community.

The latest information about Enterprise COBOL for z/OS is available at product page for Enterprise COBOL for z/OS and Enterprise COBOL for z/OS documentation library.

For the latest technical tips and information about Enterprise COBOL, visit COBOL Cafe community.