[Dwarf-Discuss] DW_TAG_formal_parameter [history]

[David Anderson]

Stoyan Shopov wrote:
> Ok, here is a somewhat minimalistic code sample exhibiting the problem:
>
>   
.....
> -----------------------------------------------------------------
> I think it is strange for a formal parameter to be a descendant of a lexical
> block die. Also, the func1() subprogram seems to be, what is termed in the
>   

Around 1991  when the lexical block tag's definition was considered
for DWARF2
the issue arose as to whether the formals should be inside or outside
any TAG_lexical_block or if the user outermost
level code should be inside or outside any TAG_lexical_block.  
(this was before the DW_ prefix to names was decided on).

Consensus was reached quickly to *not* have an 'outer'
lexical block containing the formals.  [Thus agreeing with you, Stoyan.]

Nor an outer block to contain
the outermost generated code (which lead to various ad-hoc debugger
techniques to know where user code started and eventually
lead to the DWARF3 definition of prologue_end in the line table).

At least that's how I remember it.
David A.