Metadata Tables for Exact Source Code Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
No known approach enables the exact mapping of source code to dynamic analysis information collected during automated instrumentation of computer programs, which is crucial for determining runtime behavior characteristics.
Innovation Solution
Metadata tables are used to link instrumentation information collected during runtime to programming language constructs in the source code, allowing for exact mapping by correlating instrumentation points with document and analysis tables during compilation and execution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated instrumentation is used to collect dynamic analysis information, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates because exact mapping to source code locations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by embedding metadata tables during compilation that pre-establish the mapping between instrumentation points and source code locations. This allows automated runtime collection to be accurately correlated with specific source code locations without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
Metadata tables serve as an intermediary structure that bridges the automated instrumentation data collected at runtime with the original source code locations. The metadata contains document tables and analysis tables that enable precise mapping without requiring manual correlation.
2Measurement precision
If manual instrumentation is used to achieve exact mapping, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The compilation process automatically generates and embeds the necessary metadata tables that enable self-service mapping between instrumentation points and source code locations. This eliminates the need for manual instrumentation while maintaining exact mapping precision through automated metadata generation.
3Measurement precision
If metadata tables are embedded during compilation, then measurement precision is improved through exact mapping, but device complexity increases due to additional data structures
Solution Approach 1:
The metadata tables are merged into the compiled binary output during the compilation process. By combining the metadata generation and embedding steps into the existing compilation workflow, the system adds mapping capability without requiring separate complex infrastructure.
Data Source
AI summary
Metadata tables can provide the link between the instrumentation information collected and the location in the source code of the programming language construct that was instrumented. The metadata tables enable the relationship between the programming construct in the source code and the dynamic analysis information collected to be exact rather than an estimate. During compilation information is collected that enables a mapping between document table and analysis table to occur.