[newbie] core file opening

[Giovanni Fatigati]

Hi fellows,
I know that a beginner shouldn't pretend to do this, but I would like to know how to view the content of core files originated by a program crash.
Obviously the ultimate purpose is to understand the error codes, segmentation failure and so on... in order to do debugging.

I am not completely new in coding.. I worked with CFD in the past and I want to learn Linux.
I have a manual for RH 8 (useful), but it doesn't speak about core files. Are there any manuals or something like this?

However the reason why this, is that all the video players I have on my laptop crash when I try to use them... TOTEM generates even core files

I am not sure this began when I installed some other video and sound devices, but even un-installing them doesn't produce any improvement

any advice is welcome

c ya
gio