Program stuck before start running

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Hello,

My C++ program (console application)is stuck even before it get to the main() function (the console is open, and nothing happens).
(I check with VS6 and VS2010 and got the same problem)
This problem started after I changed one of the libraries that I use.

What can be the reason for this problem (the libraries, related dlls?)
How can I check where the program is stuck? Are there any recommended tools to check it?

Thanks,
Dotan Knaan

Posted 2-Feb-11 2:09am

DotanKnaan

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3 solutions

Solution 1

Use a debugger and get stack traces for all the threads.

Posted 2-Feb-11 2:18am

Stephen Hewitt

v2

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Andrew Brock 2-Feb-11 8:21am

Only the main thread should be affecting it, since that is where the main() function lives. Although it is possible that a second thread is taking a Mutex or the likes and not letting the main thread take a hold of it.

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Andrew Brock · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-02T02:19:00

Solution 2

It will most likely be a global variable (of a class) initialising.

All global variables are initialised as part of the CRT startup, before the code enters the main() function (and cleaned up after the main() function returns)

Start debugging and let it run for a few seconds, then hit pause on the debugger. The debugger will break and show you where it is currently up to. At a guess it will be either an infinite loop or waiting on something like a Mutex or Semaphore

Posted 2-Feb-11 2:19am

Andrew Brock

Comments

DotanKnaan 2-Feb-11 16:09pm

Thanks for the answer.
I paused the debugger, and the stack is at: NTDLL! 7c90e514()
A bit lower in the list I see: " _initterm(void (void)* * 0x10134128, void (void)* * 0x10134230) line 525 ". I don't know this function. It's probably inside the library that I use.

Can I understand from this information anything about the source of my problem?

Thanks again

Emilio Garavaglia 3-Feb-11 16:22pm

_initterm is the function that fills-up the chain of constructors and destructors of the global objects, to be called in turn before entering and just after leaving main.
The two parameters are the addresses of a constructor and a destructor.

Most likely, above _initterm there is a constructor spinning in an endless loop.

Andrew Brock 4-Feb-11 2:04am

I'm going to assume that you are running Windows XP as ntdll is not based at 0x7C900000 in Windows 7.
In my Windows XPSP3 that address belongs to the function RtlRaiseException (although it doesn't match up exactly). Check the Output Window to see if there is any messages (exceptions in particular) printed.

DotanKnaan 4-Feb-11 4:56am

Thanks for the information. I will check it. Thanks!

E.F. Nijboer · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-02T02:23:00

Solution 3

When you run in the development environment you can simply pause the program and see in the stack window (Ctrl-Alt-C) where it is running at the time of pausing. This would give you some info on which method with the file and that be where the problem is (probably).

Good luck!

Posted 2-Feb-11 2:23am

E.F. Nijboer