GEL
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Overview
GEL standards for General Extension Language (previously GODSP Extension Language). GEL is the expression language that is used by the CCS debugger. Everywhere you enter in a start address, variable name or condition on a breakpoint it is using GEL to evaluation that C-like expression.
Startup Files
Target configurations in CCS often specify a startup script. These scripts are typically used to setup the memory map for the debugger, set any initial target state (via memory or register writes) that is necessary in order to connect the debugger. These scripts are usually written in GEL. It is the OnStartup() function in the GEL file that is run when the debugger is launched. There is also a OnTargetConnect() function that is called when the target is connected. The startup scripts define these functions.
GUI Integration
In CCS there have been a number of ways in which GEL has been integrated with the CCS GUI. This has changed somewhat in CCSv4 due to the fact that we are using a new GUI based on Eclipse. While the GUI integration has changed all the the core debug related functions are still available. The information in this section describes the GEL GUI integration items that exist in CCSv4.
Hotmenus: It is possible to associate a GEL function with a menu item. These menu items will show up on the User Scripts menu in the Debug perspective in CCS.
Sliders: Sliders allow you to attach function that adjusts a variable to a GUI slider control.
Dialogs: GEL dialogs prompt you to enter a value that is used as a parameter to a GEL function.
Loaded GEL Files: You can view loaded GEL files by going to the Control Panel in CCS, from the tools menu select GEL Files.
GEL Console Output: In CCSv3.3 GEL_TextOut() output is directed to the GEL tab on the output window or sometimes to a specially named tab if a name was given in the GEL_TextOut() function. In CCSv4 this function still works and the output is shown in the console view. One change here is that all of the output goes to the console view, you cannot ceate a separate tab with a custom name and direct output there.
Loading GEL Files
Startup GEL files defined in the CCSv4 target configuration file will be automatically loaded when a debug session is started. See the Creating Custom Target Configurations topic for more information on specifying a startup GEL file.
Additional GEL files can be loaded in CCSv4 from the 'GEL Files' dialog (via 'Tools->GEL Files' menu).
This will open the 'GEL Files' view. From this view, users can see all loaded GEL files for that debug session and have the option to open them in the editor, reload the GEL file, remove/unload the GEL file, and load additional GEL files. Right-click in the view and select 'Load GEL' to load a GEL file:
When a new GEL file is loaded, it will appear in the 'GEL Files' view. If the load was successful, the status will be listed as 'Success'.
GEL Hotmenus/Menuitems
Any hotmenu, dialog, and slider functions contained in all loaded GEL files will be available from the 'Scripts' menu:
GEL Sliders
GEL sliders behave the same as in CCS 3.x. Selecting the GEL slider function from the 'Scripts' menu will pop up the GEL slider GUI.
GEL Dialogs
GEL dialogs behave the same as in CCS 3.x. Selecting the GEL dialog function from the 'Scripts' menu will pop up a GEL dialog box where a value may be entered to set the value of a GEL variable.
GEL Automation
If you are using GEL for automation it is highly recommended that you convert these to Debug Server Scripting (DSS) scripts, as these scripts are much more robust, predictable and debuggable. However you can still use your existing GEL automation scripts.
Deprecated Functions
Project related functions: All functions that dealt with project related functions such as opening a project or building a project are not supported in CCSv4.
Functions for opening windows: In CCSv3.x there were a few functions that were used to open specific windows such as the memory window. These functions are not supported in CCSv4. There are equivalent functions avialalble via the Scripting Console.
GEL_WatchAdd(): This function is not supported.
GEL_CloseWindow(): This function is not supported.
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