Post-Compile Object Code Instrumentation for Trace Data

The patent performs instrumentation at link time rather than compile time, preparing the object code in advance with trace generation capability. The linker automatically inserts minimal instrumentation code that generates trace data during execution, avoiding the need for recompilation while maintaining debugging visibility. This preliminary preparation of object code resolves the contradiction by enabling trace capability without extending build times.

The patent extracts only the essential trace generation functionality from the compilation process and implements it at link time. By using the linker to insert minimal instrumentation code rather than full compile-time instrumentation, the solution obtains debugging visibility while adding only the necessary trace generation instructions to the object code, thus minimizing program size increase.

The patent makes the linker multi-functional by enabling it to perform both its traditional linking function and the additional function of automatic instrumentation for trace generation. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate instrumentation tools and multiple software versions, as the linker itself handles trace code insertion automatically, thereby reducing system management complexity while maintaining debugging capability.

The patent applies local quality by inserting instrumentation code only at specific strategic points determined by the linker, rather than uniformly throughout the program. This selective instrumentation approach maintains execution visibility by capturing essential trace data at key locations while minimizing the overall impact on execution speed by avoiding excessive instrumentation in performance-critical paths.