[MSYS2 GDB 10.2] gdb: ERROR: Unable to start debugging. Unexpected GDB output from command "-exec-run". Error creating process

[dcm684w]

Bug Type: Debugger

• OS: Windows 10
• VS Code Version: 1.57.0
• C/C++ Extension Version: 1.5.0-Insiders
• GDB Version: 10.2 (via MSYS2)
• GCC Version 10.2.0 (via MSYS2)

The Problem

When I try to debug an executable, the debug console has the following error
ERROR: Unable to start debugging. Unexpected GDB output from command "-exec-run". Error creating process /usr/bin/C:\\Checked_Out\\PIC_Drivers\\LIN_Master_Slave/C:\Checked_Out\PIC_Drivers\LIN_Master_Slave/test_ceedling/build/test/out/foo.out, (error 2).

Note that the path listed is a concatenation of paths (Msys2 GDB path, workspaceFolder, and the actual path to the executable).

The break point (set on print line in foo.c) is ignored.

To Reproduce

launch.json

    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Debug Test",
            "type": "cppdbg",
            "request": "launch",
            //"preLaunchTask": "Ceedling test",
            "program": "${workspaceFolder}/test_ceedling/build/test/out/${fileBasenameNoExtension}.out",
            "args": [],
            "stopAtEntry": false,
            "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
            "environment": [],
            "externalConsole": false,
            "logging": {
                "engineLogging": true
            },
            "MIMode": "gdb",
            "miDebuggerPath": "C:/msys64/usr/bin/gdb.exe",
            // "sourceFileMap": {
            //     "\\c":"C:\\"
            // },
            "setupCommands": [
                {
                    "description": "Enable pretty-printing for gdb",
                    "text": "-enable-pretty-printing",
                    "ignoreFailures": true
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}

C:\Checked_Out\PIC_Drivers\LIN_Master_Slave\test_ceedling\test\drivers_lin\foo.c
Compiled via gcc -g -o .\test_ceedling\build\test\out\foo.out .\test_ceedling\test\drivers_lin\foo.c

int main(){
	printf("Howdy\n");
	return 1;
}

Command Printed on Terminal window when starting debug
& 'c:\Users\XXXXX\.vscode\extensions\ms-vscode.cpptools-1.5.0-insiders\debugAdapters\bin\WindowsDebugLauncher.exe' '--stdin=Microsoft-MIEngine-In-mjmxer35.qfv' '--stdout=Microsoft-MIEngine-Out-rwzy3jm4.ibe' '--stderr=Microsoft-MIEngine-Error-5sf3fcqh.013' '--pid=Microsoft-MIEngine-Pid-psyrrdnu.5fu' '--dbgExe=C:/msys64/usr/bin/gdb.exe' '--interpreter=mi'

Debug Console Output

1: (255) Wait for connection completion.
1: (694) ->=thread-group-added,id="i1"
1: (696) ->~"GNU gdb (GDB) 10.2\n"
1: (696) ->~"Copyright (C) 2021 Free Software Foundation, Inc.\n"
1: (696) ->~"License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>\nThis is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.\nThere is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law."
1: (696) ->~"\nType \"show copying\" and \"show warranty\" for details.\n"
1: (696) ->~"This GDB was configured as \"x86_64-pc-msys\".\n"
1: (697) ->~"Type \"show configuration\" for configuration details.\n"
1: (697) ->~"For bug reporting instructions, please see:\n"
1: (697) ->~"<https://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/>.\n"
1: (698) ->~"Find the GDB manual and other documentation resources online at:\n    <http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/documentation/>."
1: (698) ->~"\n\n"
1: (698) ->~"For help, type \"help\".\n"
1: (698) ->~"Type \"apropos word\" to search for commands related to \"word\".\n"
1: (710) ->(gdb)
1: (714) <-1001-gdb-set target-async on
1: (716) ->1001^done
1: (716) ->(gdb)
1: (716) ->&"\n"
1: (716) ->^done
1: (716) ->(gdb)
1: (718) 1001: elapsed time 4
1: (731) <-1002-enable-pretty-printing
1: (734) ->1002^done
1: (734) ->(gdb)
1: (734) 1002: elapsed time 3
1: (735) ->&"\n"
1: (735) ->^done
1: (735) ->(gdb)
1: (735) <-1003-interpreter-exec console "set pagination off"
1: (736) ->=cmd-param-changed,param="pagination",value="off"
1: (736) ->1003^done
1: (736) 1003: elapsed time 0
1: (736) <-1004-gdb-set auto-solib-add on
1: (736) ->(gdb)
1: (736) ->&"\n"
1: (736) ->^done
1: (737) ->(gdb)
1: (738) ->1004^done
1: (738) 1004: elapsed time 1
1: (738) ->(gdb)
1: (738) ->&"\n"
1: (738) ->^done
1: (738) ->(gdb)
1: (738) <-1005-gdb-set solib-search-path C:\\Checked_Out\\PIC_Drivers\\LIN_Master_Slave/test_ceedling/build/test/out;
1: (740) ->1005^done
1: (740) 1005: elapsed time 2
1: (740) ->(gdb)
1: (740) <-1006-environment-cd C:\\Checked_Out\\PIC_Drivers\\LIN_Master_Slave
1: (740) ->&"\n"
1: (740) ->^done
1: (741) ->(gdb)
1: (742) ->1006^done
1: (742) 1006: elapsed time 1
1: (742) ->(gdb)
1: (743) ->&"\n"
1: (743) ->^done
1: (743) ->(gdb)
1: (747) <-1007-interpreter-exec console "show configuration"
1: (748) ->~"This GDB was configured as follows:\n   configure --host="
1: (748) ->~"x86_64-pc-msys --target=x86_64-pc-msys\n"
1: (748) ->~"             --with-auto-load-dir=$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load\n             --with-auto-load-safe-path="
1: (748) ->~"$debugdir:$datadir/auto-load\n"
1: (748) ->~"             --with-expat\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --with-gdb-datadir=/usr/share/gdb (relocatable)\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --with-jit-reader-dir=/usr/lib/gdb (relocatable)\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --without-libunwind-ia64\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --with-lzma\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --without-babeltrace\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --without-intel-pt\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --with-mpfr\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --without-xxhash\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --with-python=/usr (relocatable)\n"
1: (749) ->~"             --with-python-libdir=/usr/lib (relocatable)\n"
1: (750) ->~"             --without-debuginfod\n"
1: (750) ->~"             --without-guile\n"
1: (750) ->~"             --disable-source-highlight\n"
1: (750) ->~"             --with-separate-debug-dir=/usr/lib/debug (relocatable)\n"
1: (750) ->~"             --with-system-gdbinit=/etc/gdbinit\n"
1: (750) ->~"\n(\"Relocatable\" means the directory can be moved with the GDB installation\ntree, and GDB will still find it.)\n"
1: (750) ->1007^done
1: (750) ->(gdb)
1: (750) 1007: elapsed time 3
1: (751) ->&"\n"
1: (751) ->^done
1: (751) ->(gdb)
1: (752) <-1008-file-exec-and-symbols C:\\Checked_Out\\PIC_Drivers\\LIN_Master_Slave/test_ceedling/build/test/out/foo.out
1: (770) ->1008^done
1: (770) ->(gdb)
1: (770) 1008: elapsed time 17
1: (770) ->&"\n"
1: (770) <-1009-interpreter-exec console "show architecture"
1: (770) ->^done
1: (770) ->(gdb)
1: (773) ->~"The target architecture is set to \"auto\" (currently \"i386:x86-64\").\n"
1: (773) ->1009^done
1: (773) 1009: elapsed time 2
1: (773) ->(gdb)
1: (773) ->&"\n"
1: (773) ->^done
1: (773) ->(gdb)
1: (774) <-1010-exec-arguments 2>CON 1>CON <CON
1: (777) ->1010^done
1: (777) 1010: elapsed time 2
1: (777) <-1011-break-insert -f main
1: (777) ->(gdb)
1: (777) ->&"\n"
1: (777) ->^done
1: (777) ->(gdb)
1: (783) ->1011^done,bkpt={number="1",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",addr="0x0000000100401088",func="main",file=".\\test_ceedling\\test\\drivers_lin\\foo.c",fullname="/c/Checked_Out/PIC_Drivers/LIN_Master_Slave/test_ceedling/test/drivers_lin/foo.c",line="2",thread-groups=["i1"],times="0",original-location="main"}
1: (783) ->(gdb)
1: (783) ->&"\n"
1: (783) ->^done
1: (784) ->(gdb)
1: (791) 1011: elapsed time 14
1: (801) Send Event AD7EngineCreateEvent
1: (805) Send Event AD7ProgramCreateEvent
1: (838) ShellPid=3104
1: (870) DebuggerPid=67832
1: (913) <-1012-break-insert -f foo.c:3
1: (921) ->&"No source file named foo.c.\n"
1: (921) ->1012^done,bkpt={number="2",type="breakpoint",disp="keep",enabled="y",addr="<PENDING>",pending="foo.c:3",times="0",original-location="foo.c:3"}
1: (921) 1012: elapsed time 7
1: (921) ->(gdb)
1: (921) ->&"\n"
1: (921) ->^done
1: (921) ->(gdb)
1: (931) Send Event AD7BreakpointErrorEvent
1: (978) Send Event AD7LoadCompleteEvent
=thread-group-added,id="i1"
GNU gdb (GDB) 10.2
Copyright (C) 2021 Free Software Foundation, Inc.
License GPLv3+: GNU GPL version 3 or later <http://gnu.org/licenses/gpl.html>
This is free software: you are free to change and redistribute it.
There is NO WARRANTY, to the extent permitted by law.
Type "show copying" and "show warranty" for details.
This GDB was configured as "x86_64-pc-msys".
Type "show configuration" for configuration details.
For bug reporting instructions, please see:
<https://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/bugs/>.
Find the GDB manual and other documentation resources online at:
    <http://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/documentation/>.

For help, type "help".
Type "apropos word" to search for commands related to "word".
Warning: Debuggee TargetArchitecture not detected, assuming x86_64.
=cmd-param-changed,param="pagination",value="off"
1: (985) <-1013-exec-run
1: (990) ->1013^error,msg="Error creating process /usr/bin/C:\\\\Checked_Out\\\\PIC_Drivers\\\\LIN_Master_Slave/C:\\Checked_Out\\PIC_Drivers\\LIN_Master_Slave/test_ceedling/build/test/out/foo.out, (error 2)."
1: (990) 1013: elapsed time 5
1: (990) ->(gdb)
1: (990) ->&"\n"
1: (990) ->^done
1: (990) ->(gdb)
1: (993) Send Event AD7MessageEvent
ERROR: Unable to start debugging. Unexpected GDB output from command "-exec-run". Error creating process /usr/bin/C:\\Checked_Out\\PIC_Drivers\\LIN_Master_Slave/C:\Checked_Out\PIC_Drivers\LIN_Master_Slave/test_ceedling/build/test/out/foo.out, (error 2).
1: (1005) <--gdb-exit
1: (1006) ->^exit
1: (1015) Send Event AD7ProgramDestroyEvent
The program 'C:\Checked_Out\PIC_Drivers\LIN_Master_Slave\test_ceedling\build\test\out\foo.out' has exited with code 42 (0x0000002a).
1: (1021) Shell exited, stop debugging

[WardenGnaw]

Can confirm this reproduces on GDB 10.2 in MSYS2,

GDB 9.2 did not experience this problem.

Passing -file-exec-and-symbols /home/project/cpp/main.exe instead of -file-exec-and-symbols C:\msys2\home\project\cpp\main.exe resolved the issue.

Investigating.

[WardenGnaw]

Working on a fix at: microsoft/MIEngine#1155

[AcientYan]

Working on a fix at: microsoft/MIEngine#1155

Hello, Sorry，I am new here. But my problem is very similar to this post.
I am not sure it is polite to ask here. But I will appreciate it if you have time to help me.

I just begin to use visual studio code to program with C++. And my environment:

OS: Windows 10
VS Code Version: 1.60.1
C/C++ Extension Version: 1.6.0
GDB Version: (Cygwin 10.2-1) 10.2
G++ Version:11.2.0

And I got the following error message when debugging a hello world C++ program.

ERROR: Unable to start debugging. Unexpected GDB output from command "-exec-run". Error creating process /usr/bin/d:\Programs\Projects\test/d:\Programs\Projects\test\test.exe, (error 2).
The program 'd:\Programs\Projects\test\test.exe' has exited with code 42 (0x0000002a).

I did not post the full message. If I choose the option C++(windows) to create my launch.json file to debug, the program runs correctly but won't stop at breakpoints I set. And I know I should choose C++(GDB/GLLB) according to the official help websites. Then I got the above error message when I tried to debug.

I spent a lot of time on related websites and can not solve the problem on my own. I also updated my GDB to the latest version. The GDB was good because I verified it on the command line. (with "gdb --version")

[leonardpin-br]

Working on a fix at: microsoft/MIEngine#1155

Hello, Sorry，I am new here. But my problem is very similar to this post. I am not sure it is polite to ask here. But I will appreciate it if you have time to help me.

I just begin to use visual studio code to program with C++. And my environment:

OS: Windows 10 VS Code Version: 1.60.1 C/C++ Extension Version: 1.6.0 GDB Version: (Cygwin 10.2-1) 10.2 G++ Version:11.2.0

And I got the following error message when debugging a hello world C++ program.

ERROR: Unable to start debugging. Unexpected GDB output from command "-exec-run". Error creating process /usr/bin/d:\Programs\Projects\test/d:\Programs\Projects\test\test.exe, (error 2). The program 'd:\Programs\Projects\test\test.exe' has exited with code 42 (0x0000002a).

I did not post the full message. If I choose the option C++(windows) to create my launch.json file to debug, the program runs correctly but won't stop at breakpoints I set. And I know I should choose C++(GDB/GLLB) according to the official help websites. Then I got the above error message when I tried to debug.

I spent a lot of time on related websites and can not solve the problem on my own. I also updated my GDB to the latest version. The GDB was good because I verified it on the command line. (with "gdb --version")

I am having the same issue with cygwin64 on Windows 10 and VSCode 1.61.2, trying to compile a test c program.

[leonardpin-br]

Based partially on Andrew Wang (@WardenGnaw) answer in other thread, I got mine working. This is my own answer in another site:
Setting up VS Code for C using Cygwin64 Compiler and Debugger on Windows (ERROR: Unable to start debugging)
I hope it can help someone.

[cppkeyboardman]

Based partially on Andrew Wang (@WardenGnaw) answer in other thread, I got mine working. This is my own answer in another site: Setting up VS Code for C using Cygwin64 Compiler and Debugger on Windows (ERROR: Unable to start debugging) I hope it can help someone.

Thank you, it works.

[zergnick]

Based partially on Andrew Wang (@WardenGnaw) answer in other thread, I got mine working. This is my own answer in another site: Setting up VS Code for C using Cygwin64 Compiler and Debugger on Windows (ERROR: Unable to start debugging) I hope it can help someone.

It helps, thanks.
I run into the same issue when I was trying to use a class from a hpp file on windows.
After I checked the recommended launch file from the link, I found that I have missed contents in the "environment" part.

[sean-mcmanus]

Fixed with https://github.com/microsoft/vscode-cpptools/releases/tag/1.8.0-insiders3 or 1.8.0 (via using VS Code's "Pre-Release Version" UI or https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=ms-vscode.cpptools&ssr=false#version-history ).