Debugger Script Validation for Optimized Code Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

Debuggers face inaccuracies when working with optimized computer programs due to mismatched address locations of variables and instructions between unoptimized and optimized code, as most compilers only provide debugging information for unoptimized programs.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus generates debugger scripts for both optimized and unoptimized code, comparing the debugging information to identify discrepancies and provide accurate data for debugging optimized code.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If compilers generate optimized object code to improve execution efficiency, then program execution speed increases, but debugging information accuracy deteriorates due to address location mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprogram execution speedVSAvoiddebugging information accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary validation system that generates debugger scripts for both optimized and unoptimized code versions, comparing their debugging information to identify and correct mismatches. This mediator validates the accuracy of debugging information without preventing optimization, thus resolving the contradiction between execution speed and debugging accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary validation of debugging information by comparing optimized code against unoptimized code versions before actual debugging sessions. This preliminary action identifies and flags potential inaccuracies in advance, allowing developers to be aware of and compensate for debugging information mismatches while maintaining optimized execution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If compilers provide debugging information only for unoptimized programs to ensure accuracy, then debugging information reliability improves, but code optimization capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging information reliabilityVSAvoidcode optimization capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where debugging information from unoptimized code serves as a reference to validate and identify issues in optimized code debugging information. This feedback loop allows the system to maintain reliable debugging references while still enabling optimization, as the unoptimized version provides a ground truth for comparison.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the debugging information validation process by generating debugger scripts for both optimized and unoptimized versions of the same code. This copying approach allows comparison without preventing optimization, using the unoptimized version as a reference copy to validate the optimized version's debugging information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Loss of energy

If optimizers transform code to reduce computation and resources, then resource consumption decreases, but address location alignment deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource consumptionVSAvoidaddress location alignment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary comparison and validation of address locations by generating and comparing debugger scripts for optimized and unoptimized code before actual use. This preliminary action identifies address location mismatches caused by optimization, allowing developers to be aware of the misalignment while still benefiting from the resource efficiency of optimized code.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary validation layer that compares debugging information from optimized code against unoptimized code to identify address location mismatches. This mediator doesn't prevent optimization but provides a mechanism to detect and document the precision loss in address alignment, allowing informed debugging decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7607123B2Systems and methods for validating debug information for optimized code

Publication Date: 2009.10.20 HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEV LP

AI summary

An apparatus generates a debugger script to output first data corresponding to a symbol name for a breakpoint in a software program compiled as optimized code. A debugger script to output second data corresponding to the symbol name for the breakpoint in the software program compiled as unoptimized code is also generated. The apparatus further compares the first data to the second data, and indicates whether there is a difference between the first data and the second data.