Conditional Breakpoints for Framework Debugging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Debugging complex framework-based applications is challenging due to deep call hierarchies and the difficulty in interrupting execution at the appropriate time to analyze specific errors, as traditional breakpoints are insufficient for frameworks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing conditional breakpoints that allow developers to set breakpoints based on specific events and conditions within the application code, enabling interruption of execution only when predefined conditions are met, thereby reducing the need for multiple debugger accesses and allowing debugging at the appropriate time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional breakpoints are used in framework-based applications, then execution can be halted at any location, but it becomes difficult to interrupt execution at the appropriate time to analyze specific errors due to deep call hierarchies

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of interrupting executionVSAvoidtime to analyze errors
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of breakpoints by introducing conditional parameters (event types and conditions) that must be satisfied for the breakpoint to activate. This transforms a simple location-based breakpoint into a sophisticated conditional breakpoint that can selectively interrupt execution based on framework-specific events and states, enabling precise error analysis at the appropriate time without manually navigating deep call hierarchies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If multiple debugger accesses are required to analyze errors in complex frameworks, then comprehensive debugging is possible, but the debugging process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedebugging accuracyVSAvoiddebugging complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring breakpoints with specific framework events and conditions before execution. This allows the debugger to automatically interrupt at the correct moment when the error condition is met, eliminating the need for multiple manual debugger accesses and reducing debugging complexity while maintaining comprehensive error analysis capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If conditional breakpoints with multiple parameters are implemented, then precise error detection is enabled, but the interface for setting breakpoints becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveerror detection precisionVSAvoidease of setting breakpoints
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary framework event system that mediates between the simple user action of setting a breakpoint and the complex conditional logic required for precise error detection. The framework provides pre-defined events and conditions that serve as intermediaries, allowing users to set breakpoints with precise detection capability without directly dealing with the full complexity of multiple parameters and conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2204739B1Graphical user interface for setting of conditional breakpoints
Publication Date: 2017.05.10 SAP SE
  • EP2204739B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2204739B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2204739B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and includes instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for defining a conditional breakpoint in an application program. The method includes receiving a selection of an event in an application program by a user, the event selected for activating a conditional breakpoint that interrupts execution of the application program. The method includes receiving at least one condition of multiple predefined conditions that are associated with the event and made available to the user for selection, the condition selected by the user to condition activation of the conditional breakpoint. The method includes implementing the conditional breakpoint in relation to the application program, the conditional breakpoint configured to interrupt execution of the application program upon the event occurring provided that the condition is satisfied.