gcore
generates process core dumps
TLDR
Generate core dump
$ gcore [pid]
Specify output file$ gcore -o [corefile] [pid]
Generate for all threads$ gcore -a [pid]
SYNOPSIS
gcore [options] pid
DESCRIPTION
gcore generates a core dump of a running process without terminating it. It captures the process memory state for debugging or analysis while the process continues running.The tool attaches to the target process temporarily to create the dump. The resulting core file can be analyzed with debuggers like GDB to examine program state.gcore is useful for debugging production systems without causing downtime.
PARAMETERS
PID
Process ID to dump.-o FILE
Output filename prefix.-a
Dump all threads.--help
Display help information.
INSTALL
sudo apt install gdb
sudo dnf install gdb
sudo pacman -S gdb
sudo apk add gdb
sudo zypper install gdb
brew install gdb
nix profile install nixpkgs#gdb
CAVEATS
Requires ptrace permissions. Large processes create large dumps. May briefly pause target process.
HISTORY
gcore is part of GDB (GNU Debugger), providing non-destructive core dump generation for debugging running processes without interrupting service.