Debugging a programmatically called function with GDB

Question

I am debugging a piece of software for an ARM32. I have been able to programmatically call functions in GDB using call, or even print. The problem is that I cannot seem to be able to set a breakpoint on a function, and then call it programmatically. For example, if I do:

break test_function
call test_function()

then I get the error message

The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB. Evaluation of the expression containing the function. When the function is done executing, GDB will silently stop.

Is there a way to programmatically call a function using GDB and step through it?

Answer 1

then I get the error message

The program being debugged stopped while in a function called from GDB. Evaluation of the expression containing the function. When the function is done executing, GDB will silently stop.

This isn't an error. This is exactly what you wanted to happen: a breakpoint fired, and you are now ready to debug.