Debugging Optimized Builds

Purpose

Guide agents through debugging code compiled with optimization: choosing the right debug-friendly optimization level, reading inlined frames, diagnosing "value optimized out", using split-DWARF for faster debug builds, and applying GDB techniques specific to optimized code.

Triggers

• "GDB says 'value optimized out' — what does that mean?"
• "How do I debug a release build?"
• "How do I see inlined function frames in GDB?"
• "What's the difference between -O0 and -Og for debugging?"
• "How do I use RelWithDebInfo with CMake?"
• "Breakpoints in optimized code land on wrong lines"

Workflow

1. Choose the right build configuration