Preloading Debug Symbols for Incremental Source Files
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current debugging tools face performance issues when dealing with large applications, either due to initial overload in non-demand load mode or delayed performance impact in on-demand load mode, as they struggle to efficiently initialize and resolve symbols during debugging sessions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves preloading debug information based on incremental source code files by setting a preload indicator and merging debug symbol data into a preload symbol list, allowing for faster symbol searches and reduced initialization time during debugging sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all source code files are loaded during debugger initialization, then complete debug information is available, but initialization time and performance are significantly impacted for large applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the source code files into two categories: incremental files (modified or new files since last build) and non-incremental files. The debugger selectively loads debug information only for incremental files during initialization, rather than loading all source code files. This segmentation allows the system to maintain complete debug information for modified files while avoiding the overhead of loading unchanged files, thus resolving the contradiction between information completeness and initialization time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary identification of incremental files before the debugging session begins. The system determines which files are incremental based on build information and file modification status, and pre-loads their debug information into memory. This preliminary action ensures that when the debugger starts, all necessary debug information for modified files is already available, eliminating the need to load it during initialization and thus reducing initialization time while maintaining reliability.
2Loss of time
If debug data is loaded on-demand, then initialization time is improved, but performance impact is delayed and still occurs during breakpoint handling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by identifying incremental files before the debugging session and pre-loading their debug information into memory. This ensures that when breakpoints are encountered during debugging, the debug information is already available in memory, eliminating the need for on-demand loading and thus preventing performance degradation during breakpoint handling. The system performs the loading action in advance, before it would impact productivity.
3Productivity
If incremental files are identified and preloaded, then symbol search efficiency is improved, but additional processing is required during initialization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary identification of incremental files using build information and file modification status. This preliminary action is performed once during the build process, and the resulting incremental file list is stored and reused during subsequent debugging sessions. This approach improves symbol search efficiency by having the information ready in advance, while avoiding repeated complexity by caching the incremental file identification results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the incremental file information from the build process and stores it in a format suitable for debugger use. Instead of re-analyzing all source files during each debugging session, the system copies and reuses the incremental file identification data generated during the build phase. This copying approach maintains symbol search efficiency while significantly reducing the complexity of the initialization process.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, computer program product and system are provided for preloading debug information based on the presence of incremental source code files. Based on parsed input parameters to a source code debugger, a source code repository and a local storage area are searched for an incremental file. In response to the incremental file being located, a preload indicator in the incremental file, which is a source code file, is set. Based on the preload indicator being set, debug symbol data from the incremental file is merged to a preload symbol list. In response to receiving a command to examine the debug symbol data from the incremental file, the preload symbol list is searched for the requested debug symbol data.