CTAGS(1) COMMAND REFERENCE CTAGS(1) NAME ctags - create a tags file SYNOPSIS ctags [ -B ] [ -F ] [ -a ] [ -t ] [ -u ] [ -v ] [ -w ] [ -x ] filename ... DESCRIPTION Ctags makes a tags file for ex(1) from the specified C, Pascal, and FORTRAN sources. A tags file gives the locations of specified objects (in this case functions and typedefs) in a group of files. Each line of the tags file contains the object name, the file in which it is defined, and an address specification for the object definition. Functions are searched with a pattern, typedefs with a line number. Specifiers are given in separate fields on the line, separated by blanks or tabs. Using the tags file, the editting system ex can quickly find these object definitions. Files whose name ends in .c or .h or have no suffix are assumed to be C source files and are searched for C routine and macro definitions. Others are first examined to see if they contain any Pascal or FORTRAN routine definitions; if not, they are processed again looking for C definitions. The tag main is treated specially in C programs. The tag formed is created by prepending M to the name of the file, with a trailing .c removed, if any, and leading pathname components also removed. This makes use of ctags practical in directories with more than one program. OPTIONS -a Append to tags file. -t Create tags for typedefs. -u Causes the specified files to be updated in tags; that is, all references to them are deleted, and the new values are appended to the file. (Beware: this option is implemented in a way which is rather slow; it is usually faster to simply rebuild the tags file.) -v An index of the form expected by vgrind (see CAVEATS) is produced on the standard output. This listing contains the function name, filename, and page number (assuming 64 line pages). Since the output will be sorted into lexicographic order, it may be desired to run the output through sort -f (see EXAMPLES). -w Suppresses warning diagnostics. Printed 5/12/88 1
CTAGS(1) COMMAND REFERENCE CTAGS(1) -x Ctags produces a list of object names, the line number and filename on which each is defined, as well as the text of that line and prints this on the standard output. This is a simple index which can be printed out as an off-line readable function index. -B Use backward searching patterns (?...?). -F Use forward searching patterns (/.../) (default). EXAMPLES This example produces a tags file for a program made up of the source files example.c and extras.c. The entries in the tags file will have backward search for patterns: ctags -B example.c extras.c Executing the command vi -t main will edit the file containing the routine main( ), and place the cursor at the definition of that routine by searching backwards. The following command set prints a sorted cross reference listing for the files using vgrind (see CAVEATS): ctags -v files | sort -f > index vgrind -x index FILES tags Tags file for use with ex(1) RETURN VALUE [NO_ERRS] Command completed without error. [USAGE] Incorrect command line syntax. Execution terminated. [NP_WARN] An error warranting a warning message occurred. Execution continues. [P_WARN] A system error occurred. Execution continues. See intro(2) for more information on system errors. [P_ERR] A system error occurred. Execution terminated. See intro(2) for more information on system errors. CAVEATS Recognition of functions, subroutines, and procedures for FORTRAN and Pascal is done in a very simple way. No attempt is made to deal with block structure; if you have two Pascal procedures in different blocks with the same name, only the Printed 5/12/88 2
CTAGS(1) COMMAND REFERENCE CTAGS(1) first is tagged. The method of deciding whether to look for C or Pascal and FORTRAN functions uses the prefix of the file, and may not always decide on the correct language. Does not process #ifdefs (used by the preprocessor). Should know about Pascal types. Relies on the input being well formed to detect typedefs. Use of -tx shows only the last line of typedefs. The -v option is supported for completeness. The utility vgrind may not be available on your system. SEE ALSO cflow(1), cxref(1), ex(1), sort(1), and vi(1). Printed 5/12/88 3
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