Setting an std::string variable value from gdb?

Question

Is it possible... when the debugger is stopped at a breakpoint, to modify the value of a std::string variable without resorting to hacks like tweaking the memory image of the current buffer?

e.g. something like "set var mystring="hello world"

?

Answer 1

Try this (tested and works for me):

call mystring.assign("hello world")

The key is that instead of modifying memory directly, you call the object's functions to change its state. It so happens that std::basic_string has a member function called assign which does the job.