Hi, This is a "RFC" to update documentation to better match behavior, or, to get some information about shell tracing.
Bellow I am quoting a request from an user:
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The bash shell offers the xtrace (set -x), functrace (set -T) and
function trace (typeset -ft) facilities to control script and function
tracing yet it appears that only set -x is effective, tracing the
calling script + any and all called functions.
set -x:
Caller and all functions traced, irrespective of typeset [-+]ft and set [-+]T
set +x:
No trace at all, irrespective of trace -ft and set [-+]T
In contrast, using the POSIX shell (HP-UX), the trace directives "set
[-+]x" and "typeset [-+]ft " interact as follows (regardless of
whether shell functions are defined with the "function name" or
"name()" forms):
set -x:
- typeset -ft name ...
Caller and named function(s) traced
- typeset +ft name ...
Caller but trace from named function(s) suppressed
set +x:
- typeset -ft name ...
Only named function(s) traced
- typeset +ft name ...
No trace at all
So function trace can be governed _independently_ of the calling
script/session trace, which is useful in controlling the amount of
trace generated. Can bash replicate this behaviour, i.e. trace a
script but NOT its called functions ?
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Since access to HP-UX sh, that should be a superset of ksh88 is not easy,
one shell that appears to be very close to the HP-UX sh in this respect is
zsh, that allows either tracing or not tracing only functions.
Looking at bash source code, it could require a significant change to offer
such feature. First, I believe trace_p() would need to be converted to a three
state, to know all the conditions, or, it could by default trace
functions always
and only not trace if trace_p() is unset. The problem is that trace_p() for
functions is already being used for a different state control.
Assuming the current trace_p() usage were modified, to implement disable
of traced functions, a pseudo-patch could be:
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make_cmd.c:make_function_def()
- temp->flags = 0;
+ temp->flags = att_trace;
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and
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execute_cmd.c:execute_function()
restore_default_signal (ERROR_TRAP);
}
+ if (echo_command_at_execute && !trace_p (var))
+ {
+ unwind_protect_int (echo_command_at_execute);
+ echo_command_at_execute = 0;
+ }
+
+
/* Shell functions inherit the RETURN trap if function tracing is on
globally or on individually for this function. */
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but to trace only functions under "set +x" a different approach would be
required (the need for a three-state).
Attached is a test script from the user, that will work with bash and
zsh (to test ksh behavior need to comment the "set +-T").
Thanks,
Paulo
x.sh
Description: Bourne shell script
