Source Code Execution Visualization via Symbolic Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software developers face challenges in understanding the execution behavior of complex source code due to its length and complexity, making it difficult to determine if specific lines of code are executed and which branches are taken during execution, often requiring time-consuming manual methods like debugging or colleague interactions.
Innovation Solution
A system that visualizes execution behavior by analyzing source code to create control flow diagrams and uses symbolic execution to generate execution traces, allowing developers to interactively select start and end points for testing, and constrain symbolic execution to focus on specific code paths, thereby providing graphical representations of actual execution paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If developers manually inspect log data or use breakpoint debuggers to monitor software execution behavior, then they can obtain execution information, but the process becomes time-consuming and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a visual copy of the control flow diagram that mirrors the actual execution path taken by the software. Instead of manually tracing through complex code or interpreting log data, the system generates a graphical representation that copies the execution trajectory, making it immediately visible and easy to understand. This visual copy allows developers to quickly comprehend execution behavior without time-consuming manual analysis.
2Loss of information
If developers use conventional debugging methods to determine if specific lines of code are executed, then they can obtain execution information, but the complexity of the source code makes the process frustrating and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the execution path information from a one-dimensional textual representation (log data or code lines) into a two-dimensional visual representation (control flow diagram). By adding the spatial dimension of graphical display, the system makes execution paths immediately visible and intuitive. Developers can see the entire control flow structure and the actual execution trajectory simultaneously, eliminating the need to mentally parse complex code structures.
3Measurement precision
If developers manually trace execution through complex source code with many branches, then they can understand execution behavior, but the process is error-prone and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual intermediary layer (the control flow diagram with highlighted execution paths) between the complex source code and the developer's understanding. This intermediary automatically generated by the system translates complex multi-branch execution logic into a simple visual trajectory. The intermediary handles the complexity of tracking multiple branches and conditions, presenting only the relevant execution path to the developer, thereby eliminating manual tracing errors and improving productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein are interactive graphical user interfaces that visualize execution behavior of source code together with theoretical execution behavior of the source code together with the source code itself. Structure of the source code is analyzed to determine theoretical execution behavior of the source code. Thereafter, symbolic execution of the source code is undertaken to output an execution trace. The execution trace is shown together with the theoretical execution behavior of the source code.