CCS/MSP430F5437A: CCS 9.2, add symbols from .out file using GEL file

Jerker Dahlblom

Part Number: MSP430F5437A

Tool/software: Code Composer Studio

Hi,

When I launch the debug session of the firmware I want to AUTOMATICALLY add the symbols from the bootloader which resides in same project folder.
   CCS_Project/
       Booloader/bin/bootloader.out

I have read that it could be done with an GEL file. Is this correct?

1) Added a GEL file to a folder named GEL in project root (CCS_Project)
2) Launched the debug session (break @ main) and then opened the "Tools->GEL Files" menu.
3) Added the GEL file
4) Reload GEL file
ERROR : MSP430: GEL: Error loading file 'C:\abc\def\CCS_Project\Bootloader\my_gel_file.gel': line 3: mismatched char: 'EOF'

Contents of GEL file is

StartUp()
{
   GEL_SymbolAdd($(GEL_file_dir)/bin/Bootloader.out");
}

Even if that would work it doesn't stay there. Have to add it each time. Is this because it doesn't execute properly?

What is wrong with the GEL file and how to I load it automatically?

over 5 years ago

0 Ki over 5 years ago

TI__Guru**** 472291 points

Hello,

Jerker Dahlblom said:
GEL_SymbolAdd($(GEL_file_dir)/bin/Bootloader.out");

There is a quote character that is missing. It should be:

GEL_SymbolAdd("$(GEL_file_dir)/bin/Bootloader.out");

To load it automatically, specify the GEL file as a startup GEL file in the ccxml file

Thanks

0 Jerker Dahlblom over 5 years ago in reply to Ki

Intellectual 320 points

Thanks! Making progress.

Now the GEL file is automatically loaded but it does not automatically execute. I have to do this manually via the window "GEL File"->"Reload" and then it adds the symbols.

Below screenshots of changes in targetconfig file and the GEL file (pl-151.gel). I had to escape the slashes in the GEL file for it to work.

One odd observation, when I am breaked at main and go to "Tools"->"GEL Files" the "GEL Files" window shows (after explicitly closing it in the previous debug session). Next time I start debug session and breaks at same location this window doesn't show, instead it is "Memory Map".

0 Ki over 5 years ago in reply to Jerker Dahlblom

TI__Guru**** 472291 points

Jerker Dahlblom said:
Now the GEL file is automatically loaded but it does not automatically execute. I have to do this manually via the window "GEL File"->"Reload" and then it adds the symbols.

This should not be the case. Any GEL action in the StartUp() function should be executed when the GEL file is loaded. This is the behavior I see. Please try adding a GEL_TextOut call in the function to confirm that the StartUp function is run when the GEL file is autoloaded.

0 Jerker Dahlblom over 5 years ago in reply to Ki

Intellectual 320 points

Yes that worked, it prints the output. But I can't see any symbols in the Memory Browser. They only appear after reloading that file via the "GEL Files" window.

0 Ki over 5 years ago in reply to Jerker Dahlblom

TI__Guru**** 472291 points

Can you try using the Modules View instead to check if the symbols get loaded that first time?

http://dev.ti.com/tirex/explore/node?a=VLyFKFf__3.6.2&node=APVIzRhtpuf-7AMAb9iu3w__FUz-xrs__LATEST&r=VLyFKFf__LATEST

0 Jerker Dahlblom over 5 years ago in reply to Ki

Intellectual 320 points

Checked!

The Modules windows show only the firmware's *.out at start. After "Reload" in the "GEL Files" window the bootloader's *.out shows up in the Module window. So it is exactly as with the symbols shown in Memory Browser.

0 Ki over 5 years ago in reply to Jerker Dahlblom

TI__Guru**** 472291 points

That is odd. I can't seem to reproduce this behavior.

See the attached video. I assume this is similar to what you are doing. Note how when I load the gel file for the first time, the additional symbols get loaded.

/cfs-file/__key/communityserver-discussions-components-files/81/startup_5F00_gel.zip

Are you doing the same thing except the symbols don't get loaded that first time?

0 Jerker Dahlblom over 5 years ago in reply to Ki

Intellectual 320 points

>Are you doing the same thing except the symbols don't get loaded that first time?

Exactly!

Now that I load the file automatically it shows up under "GEL Files" but I have to do "Reload" from same window for it to work.

0 Ki over 5 years ago in reply to Jerker Dahlblom

TI__Guru**** 472291 points

Jerker Dahlblom said:
Now that I load the file automatically it shows up under "GEL Files" but I have to do "Reload" from same window for it to work.

Interestingly, I have observed the following behavior. When I add the gel file to the ccxml file as a startup GEL file, I see the same issue as you do. When I don't have it as a startup GEL file and the manually load the GEL file the first time, it all works (as in my video).

If I understand correctly, neither options works for you. Is that correct?

There definitely is some issue with that load symbol call. I will need to investigate further.

Thanks

0 Jerker Dahlblom over 5 years ago in reply to Ki

Intellectual 320 points

>If I understand correctly, neither options works for you. Is that correct?

That is correct, glad you can reproduce this in part. Thank you very much!

0 Ki over 5 years ago in reply to Jerker Dahlblom

TI__Guru**** 472291 points

Thanks. I filed a big for this issue. You can track it with the below link:

https://sir.ext.ti.com/jira/browse/EXT_EP-9747

Thanks

0 Ki over 5 years ago in reply to Ki

TI__Guru**** 472291 points

After further analysis, it has been determined what the root cause is and that this is expected behavior.

Basically what is happening is the below sequence:

1. Project debug session is launched

2. StartUp is called in the GEL function.

3. The symbols for the bootloader is added to symbol table

4. The target is connected

5. The program for the project is loaded. This will clear any previously loaded symbols and then flash the target and load the symbols for that program.

This explains they behavior we see and why reloading the GEL will work.

The issue will not occur for project-less debug sessions.

It should also not occur if the GEL file manually loaded AFTER the debugger is launched.

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CCS/MSP430F5437A: CCS 9.2, add symbols from .out file using GEL file