[RFC - Python Scripting] Extend Value.dereference to dereference C++ reference values

[Siva Chandra <sivachandra at google dot com>]

Hi all,

In an other thread, I have sent a patch for a new 'explore' command
implemented in Python as well as in C. For the Python implementation,
I wanted something which can 'dereference' a C++ reference value.
Unless I am missing something, I couldn't find anything which can do
this in the Python API. Attached is a patch which extends the Python
API method Value.dereference to 'dereference' C++ reference values as
well. I am probably overloading the term 'dereference' as used in the
normal (pointer dereferencing) sense.

Code Changelog:

2012-03-12 Siva Chandra <sivachandra@google.com>

        Python scripting: Extend the functionality of the method
        Value.dereference to dereference C++ reference values.
        * NEWS: Add entry under 'Python scripting' about the extended
        functionality of the method Value.dereference.
        * python/py-value.c (valpy_dereference): Extend to dereference
        values of type TYPE_CODE_REF.
        * testsuite/gdb.python/py-value.cc: Add new test case for
        testing the methodology exposing C++ values to Python.
        * testsuite/gdb.python/py-value-cc.exp: Add tests testing the
        methodology exposing C++ values to Python.
        * testsuite/gdb.python/Makefile.in: Add py-value-cc to
        EXECUTABLES.

Docs Changelog:

2012-03-12 Siva Chandra <sivachandra@google.com>

        * gdb.texinfo (Python API/Values From Inferior): Document
        extended functionality of the method Value.dereference.


Thanks,
Siva Chandra

Attachment: value_dereference_patch_v1.txt
Description: Text document