Breakpad is a free library and tool suite for capturing application crashes and producing readable C and C++ stack traces. Its client records compact minidump files when a crash occurs, or when an application asks for a dump. A symbol dumper converts debugging information such as DWARF, STABS, and Windows PDB files into Breakpad symbol files; a processor uses those files with minidumps to generate stack traces. Documentation covers client integration on Windows, macOS, and Linux. The sender can transmit a minidump and application-defined key-value parameters to a crash server through multipart HTTP POST, and supports HTTPS. Developers supply the server for analysis and keep symbol files where the processor can find them. Windows out-of-process dump generation requires a separately run crash generation server. The project also describes uploading symbol files to a server. Breakpad’s Linux guide cautions against doing much in a crash callback because application state may be unsafe. The repository provides build instructions using ./configure and make, and lists discussion and developer mailing lists for questions and reviews.
Who it is for
Breakpad suits development teams that need to capture crashes and generate symbolicated C and C++ traces. It is geared toward teams prepared to integrate the client and manage their own crash server and symbol files.
What is good
- Free crash-capture library and tool suite.
- Can create minidumps on crashes or by request.
- Supports client integration on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
- Sender supports HTTPS for minidump uploads.
What to know first
- Teams must provide a server for crash analysis.
- Developers must manage symbol files for processing.
- Windows out-of-process dumps need a separate crash server.
- Crash callbacks should do very little work.
Verdict
Breakpad provides the components for capturing, uploading, and processing crash dumps, with processing centered on symbols managed by the development team. Its self-hosted workflow and integration requirements make it a fit for teams prepared to operate those pieces.
Breakpad plans and pricing
All plansCompared on game crash reporting software
- Free plan
- Yes
