Minimized Extraction Module for Non-Intrusive Software Debugging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional debugging methods require recompilation and interruption of program execution, limiting their application to running software and increasing resource overhead on target devices due to the need for diagnostics and data storage.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for generating a parameter profile that extracts context information, creates a minimized extraction module, and transmits it to a target device to create user-readable log statements without interrupting program execution, reducing resource usage and network bandwidth by storing static data on the host device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional debugging methods are used with print statements and breakpoints, then program execution can be monitored, but the program must be recompiled and re-executed to view changes, interrupting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates debugging functionality into two independent modules: a minimized extraction module deployed on the target device that collects runtime data without modification, and a parameter profile compiler on the host that processes this data. This segmentation allows the target program to execute continuously while debugging operations are performed separately on the collected data.
Solution Approach 2:
The extraction module is pre-configured with extraction points and parameters before deployment. The parameter profile is compiled in advance on the host device, containing all necessary context information. This preliminary setup enables the target program to run uninterrupted while the pre-configured extraction module collects data during execution.
2Loss of information
If diagnostics data is stored on the target device, then debugging information can be collected, but device resources are limited and overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the essential runtime data values from the target device through the minimized extraction module, while all bulky context information, source code mappings, and parameter profiles are stored on the host device. This extraction approach minimizes the data footprint on the resource-constrained target device while preserving complete debugging information on the host.
Solution Approach 2:
The minimized extraction module acts as an intermediary that collects minimal runtime data from the target device and transmits it to the host device for processing. This intermediary approach allows comprehensive debugging information to be assembled on the host without requiring significant storage or processing resources on the target device.
3Measurement precision
If the extraction module is transmitted to the target device, then runtime data can be collected, but network bandwidth is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of transmitting the complete extraction module with all context information to the target device, the system transmits only a minimized version containing essential extraction logic. The full parameter profile and context data remain on the host device, reducing network transmission requirements while maintaining complete debugging capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for extracting context information from an extraction module to create a minimized extraction module, creating a parameter profile from the context information, transmitting the minimized extraction module to a target device, receiving a value extracted from the target device by the minimized extraction module, and combining the value with at least a portion of the context information to create a user readable log statement. A system having an extraction element extracting context information from an extraction module to create a minimized extraction module, a creating element creating a parameter profile from the context information, a transmitting element transmitting the minimized extraction module to a target device, a receiving element receiving a value extracted from the target device by the minimized extraction module, and a combining element combining the value with at least a portion of the context information to create a user readable log statement.