Automatic Debugger Extension Loading for Programming Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional debuggers lack adequate support for various programming models and their interactions, making it difficult for developers to debug modern applications that use multiple libraries and components, as they often require manual loading of extensions which can be cumbersome and require expertise in identifying appropriate extensions and loading processes.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of debugger extensions that are automatically loaded based on trigger events and load conditions, allowing for programming-model-specific support to be integrated directly into the debugger engine, expanding the capabilities of debuggers to handle complex programming models like coroutines without manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If debugger extensions are manually loaded, then developers can access programming-model-specific debugging capabilities, but the process becomes cumbersome and requires expertise in identifying and loading appropriate extensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming-model-specific debugging capabilitiesVSAvoidextension loading process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The debugger system automatically detects the programming model being used and loads the appropriate debugger extension without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring the execution environment, identifying when a specific programming model is active, and autonomously loading the corresponding extension to provide specialized debugging capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Debugger extensions are pre-registered in the system with metadata describing their associated programming models and trigger conditions. Before debugging sessions begin, the system prepares by having all available extensions loaded and registered, so that when a specific programming model is detected during execution, the corresponding extension can be immediately activated without delay.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If debugger extensions are automatically loaded based on trigger events, then debugging efficiency is enhanced, but the debugger complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging efficiencyVSAvoiddebugger architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The debugger architecture is segmented into distinct modular components: a core debugger engine, multiple programming-model-specific extensions, and an event monitoring subsystem. Each extension is independently loaded and activated only when its associated programming model is detected, allowing the system to maintain complexity only when needed while keeping the base debugger simple and lightweight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The debugger engine is designed with universal interfaces and a standardized extension architecture that can accommodate multiple different programming models through a common framework. This multi-functionality allows a single debugger core to support various programming models by loading appropriate extensions, rather than requiring separate debuggers for each model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If debugger extensions are loaded at the engine level, then programming model support is expanded, but memory and resource usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogramming model supportVSAvoidmemory resources

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The debugger extension loading system is dynamic rather than static. Extensions are loaded and unloaded based on the actual programming model being executed at any given time. The system continuously monitors the execution environment for trigger events and adjusts the loaded extensions accordingly, ensuring that memory resources are allocated only when specific programming models are active rather than pre-loading all possible extensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10169199B2Automatic model-specific debugger extensions

Publication Date: 2019.01.01 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Extensions to a debugger are identified in a debugger database which is read automatically when the debugger loads. The debugger watches for trigger events in its execution environment and optionally for load conditions in a debuggee program's internal state. If a trigger event occurs and a load condition is met, then the debugger automatically loads an extension for use. Some extensions provide debugging routines that are specifically designed to support debugging of applications which use a specific programming model.