AIX 7.3: Recognize 32-bit core file formats
Binutils can now identify 32-bit core dump files generated by AIX 7.3, fixing a recognition error in GDB.
Binutils’ BFD library has been updated to recognize the 32-bit core file format used in AIX 7.3. Previously, GDB would report these files as unrecognized, preventing analysis. This change adds support for the specific CORE_DUMPXX_VERSION_AIX73 identifier, enabling proper core dump handling.
In Details
The BFD library's AIX core dump handler in rs6000-core.c previously only recognized the CORE_DUMPXX_VERSION for AIX 5.x core dumps. This commit introduces support for CORE_DUMPXX_VERSION_AIX73 (0xfeeddb1), which is used by 32-bit processes on AIX 7.3. This ensures that GDB can correctly identify and process these core dumps, which are distinct from 64-bit core dumps handled by other mechanisms.
- BFD
- The Binary File Descriptor library, an abstraction layer within GNU Binutils for handling various object file formats.
- core dump
- A file containing the memory image of a process at the time it crashed. Debuggers use core dumps to analyze the state of a program when an error occurred.
- AIX
- Advanced Interactive eXecutive, a proprietary operating system developed by IBM for its RS/6000 and other hardware.