Quiz Entry - updated: 2026.07.14
How do you convert hex values to meaningful data when analyzing assembly?
Use GDB's p with a format letter (p/c, p/d, p/t, p/x) to reinterpret a value as a character, decimal, binary, or hex.
GDB conversions:
(gdb) p 0x3b5
$1 = 949
(gdb) p/c 0x74
$2 = 116 't'
(gdb) p/t 0xff
$3 = 11111111
(gdb) p/x 949
$4 = 0x3b5
Common hex values to recognize:
| Hex | Decimal | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
0x21 |
33 | '!', start of printable ASCII |
0x30-0x39 |
48-57 | '0'-'9' |
0x41-0x5a |
65-90 | 'A'-'Z' |
0x61-0x7a |
97-122 | 'a'-'z' |
0x7f |
127 | End of ASCII |
0xf / 0xff |
15 / 255 | Common bitmasks |
0xffffffff |
-1 (signed) | Error return value |
Tip: $0x5e = 94, often appears in range checks as 127 - 33 = 94 (printable ASCII width).
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