SYMBOLINFO

The SYMBOLINFO command is a utility available in Microsoft Windows for retrieving information about loaded symbols in a running process or a debug session. It is primarily used in debugging tools such as WinDbg, the Windows Driver Kit (WDK), and other debugging environments that support the Windows Debugging API (DbgHelp.dll).

SYMBOLINFO is part of the symbol engine in Windows, which manages symbol files (such as PDB files for debug symbols) and provides access to their metadata. When executed, it displays detailed information about a symbol at a specified address in memory. This includes data such as the symbol's name, type, address, and other debugging-related attributes. The command is particularly useful for developers and troubleshooters who need to inspect the internal structure of code, data, or system components during debugging sessions.

The syntax for SYMBOLINFO typically follows the format: `!syminfo <address>`, where `<address>` is the memory location of the symbol being queried. The output includes fields such as the symbol's name, module where it resides, offset within the module, and whether the symbol is public or private. Additional flags and options can refine the output, such as specifying the type of symbol information requested or filtering results.

SYMBOLINFO relies on the presence of symbol files, which are often loaded dynamically during debugging sessions. These files contain debugging information generated by compilers and linkers, enabling detailed inspection of code and data structures. Without proper symbol files, SYMBOLINFO may return limited or no information, as it cannot resolve addresses to meaningful names or types.

This command is essential for advanced debugging tasks, such as analyzing crashes, memory corruption, or complex software behavior. It bridges the gap between raw memory addresses and human-readable code, making it a fundamental tool in Windows debugging workflows.