Source Line Simulator for Consistent Debugging Across CPU Architectures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Debugging tools often display inconsistent behavior across different CPU architectures, leading to an inefficient software development environment as the same source code may be processed differently on various target CPU architectures, resulting in incorrect indicators in the debugging graphical user interface.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for simulating a correct line of source code in a debugging tool, which determines the correct line of source code corresponding to a virtual return address and enables a simulator mode to display an indicator at the correct line, ensuring consistency across CPU architectures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If debugging tools are used across different CPU architectures, then debugging capability is improved, but consistency of debugging behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging capabilityVSAvoidconsistency of debugging behavior

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a simulation layer that acts as an intermediary between the debugging tool and the actual CPU architecture. This simulation layer translates architecture-specific debugging behaviors into a unified, architecture-independent debugging interface, ensuring consistent debugging behavior across different CPU architectures while maintaining the ability to debug on various platforms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If architecture-specific debugging behavior is maintained, then accuracy of debugging indication is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of debugging indicationVSAvoidease of debugging operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adapting the debugging tool to each architecture's specific behavior, the patent inverts the approach by having each architecture's debugging behavior adapt to a unified simulation model. The simulation layer translates architecture-specific indications into a standard format, making the debugging tool easier to operate consistently across different architectures while preserving the accuracy of architecture-specific debugging indications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8863088B2Simulating a line of source code in a debugging tool

Publication Date: 2014.10.14 RED HAT INC

AI summary

A source line simulator system determines a line of source code that corresponds to a virtual return address in response to executing a debugging command on the source code. The simulator system determines whether the line of source code that corresponds to the virtual return address is correct and can enable a simulator mode based on a determination that the line of source code that corresponds to the virtual return address is not correct. The simulator system can generate a debugging graphical user interface (GUI) that displays an indicator at a line of source code that is correct.