libbacktrace

libbacktrace is a library that provides a C API for obtaining program backtraces. A backtrace, also known as a stack trace, is a list of functions that were called to reach the current point in program execution. This is a crucial tool for debugging, as it helps developers understand the flow of control and identify the source of errors or unexpected behavior.

The primary function offered by libbacktrace is `backtrace()`, which populates an array of void pointers representing the return addresses of the calling functions. The number of frames captured can be specified by the caller. Another key function is `backtrace_symbols()`, which takes the array of addresses returned by `backtrace()` and attempts to convert them into human-readable strings. These strings typically include the function name, offset within the function, and potentially the name of the executable or shared library where the function resides.

libbacktrace is part of the GNU C Library (glibc) and is available on many Unix-like systems. It is often used internally by other debugging tools and by applications that need to report detailed error information. The library works by inspecting the call stack, which is a data structure used by the program to manage function calls. Understanding the structure of the call stack is essential for correctly interpreting the information provided by libbacktrace. The library's simplicity makes it a convenient way to add basic backtrace capabilities to C and C++ programs.