Update: i think I've found the actual proper solution.  Alternative patch
on offer below; this time by checking for dynamic bitmaps already in place
after finishing the static ones in x_cr_init_fringe.  Note that that
function also defines w32_init_fringe if HAVE_NTGUI, so windows is covered.

Trying to be minimal so this example doesn't iterate to over fringe_bitmaps
looking for sparse elements, just begin checking fringe_bitmaps for
existing elements at the index following the standard bitmaps leaves off
and continue until the first null.  I'm not sure if it's too bold to trust
that holes haven't had a chance to arise though. (perhaps if the server is
initially used in console mode and packages get unloaded before a gui
client connects...?).



diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index e75df8b8b6..8711a2759b 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -290,3 +290,4 @@ nt/emacs.rc
 nt/emacsclient.rc
 src/gdb.ini
 /var/
+build/
diff --git a/src/fringe.c b/src/fringe.c
index d0d599223d..82f2ad5d55 100644
--- a/src/fringe.c
+++ b/src/fringe.c
@@ -1774,16 +1774,19 @@ w32_init_fringe (struct redisplay_interface *rif)
 x_cr_init_fringe (struct redisplay_interface *rif)
 #endif
 {
-  int bt;
-
   if (!rif)
     return;

+  int bt;
+  struct fringe_bitmap *fb;
+
   for (bt = NO_FRINGE_BITMAP + 1; bt < MAX_STANDARD_FRINGE_BITMAPS; bt++)
     {
-      struct fringe_bitmap *fb = &standard_bitmaps[bt];
+      fb = &standard_bitmaps[bt];
       rif->define_fringe_bitmap (bt, fb->bits, fb->height, fb->width);
     }
+  while ((fb = fringe_bitmaps[bt]))
+      rif->define_fringe_bitmap (bt++, fb->bits, fb->height, fb->width);
 }
 #endif


On Mon, Aug 12, 2019, 12:59 Eli Zaretskii, <eliz@gnu.org> wrote:

> > From: Liam Quinlan <liamkquinlan@gmail.com>
> > Date: Mon, 12 Aug 2019 06:48:25 -0400
> > Cc: emacs-devel@gnu.org
> >
> > ... Whoops, I guess gdb doesn't log !cmd output.  Here's what should be
> in that awkward empty spot.
>
> Thanks.  This and the GDB session adds some important info, but
> there's still a gap in my understanding of the problem.  To close that
> gap, please show the C and Lisp backtrace from the breakpoint at
> fringe.c:1487 which prints "rif: unavailable".  That will allow me to
> understand which Lisp code tried to define fringe bitmaps when no GUI
> frame is available.
>