INFO: PDB File Format Information Not Documented

ID: Q182043

The information in this article applies to:

Microsoft Visual C++, 32-bit Editions, versions 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 5.0, 6.0

SUMMARY

The Program Database File Format also known as PDB file format is not documented. This information is Microsoft proprietary.

MORE INFORMATION

The PDB file format information is extracted from the CodeView information in the object file. The linker uses it for incremental linking. The Visual C++ debugger uses this information during a debug session when symbolic debug information is stored in the PDB file.

REFERENCES

Microsoft CodeView debugging information is the current format used by Microsoft Visual C++ and is available in the Microsoft Developer Network Library (MSDN) CD, or in the Internet Web Site address:

http://www.microsoft.com/msdn

The following two articles describe in detail the CodeView format specifications.

Specifications--Technologies and Languages--CodeView Symbolic Debug Information 3.1

Specifications--Technologies and Languages--VC5.0 Symbolic Debug Information

Additional query words:

Keywords : kbDebug kbide kbVC200 kbVC210 kbVC220 kbVC400 kbVC410 kbVC420 kbVC500 kbVC600
Version : WINNT:2.0,2.1,2.2,4.0,4.1,4.2,5.0
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo