Speculative Code Execution Debug Module for Parallel Software

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Solution Overview

Problem

Debugging parallel software in a multiple core environment is challenging due to the difficulty in observing and analyzing speculatively executed code paths, which are not visible to traditional debuggers, leading to issues in identifying and resolving errors.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a Speculative Code Execution Debug Module that detects speculative code debug events, allows control over speculative code execution, and enables debugging by isolating code execution from other threads, creating an undo-log for error correction, and allowing execution to fall back to a non-speculative model if conflicts occur.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If speculative code execution is used to improve performance, then execution speed is improved, but debugging capability deteriorates because speculative code paths are not visible to traditional debuggers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution speedVSAvoiddebugging capability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

A speculative code execution debugger is introduced as an intermediary component between the speculative code execution engine and the traditional debugger. This mediator captures debug events from speculative code paths and translates them into formats compatible with traditional debuggers, enabling visibility of previously invisible code paths without sacrificing execution performance benefits

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the debugger receives information about speculative code execution events and feeds back control signals to the execution engine. This allows the debugger to intercept, examine, and control speculative code paths while maintaining the performance advantages of speculative execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If speculative code execution is enabled to optimize performance, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to difficulty in identifying and resolving errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexecution efficiencyVSAvoiderror identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The debugger performs preliminary actions by capturing and recording speculative code execution events before they complete. This allows errors to be identified and addressed while the speculative execution is still in progress or can be easily rolled back, maintaining both productivity and reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Feedback mechanisms enable real-time monitoring of speculative code paths, allowing developers to detect errors and resolve them without sacrificing the performance benefits of speculative execution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If traditional debugging methods are used, then debugging simplicity is maintained, but effectiveness deteriorates because speculative code paths remain invisible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedebugging simplicityVSAvoidspeculative code visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The speculative code execution debugger acts as a bridge between traditional debugging interfaces and speculative code execution, preserving the simplicity of traditional debugging while adding visibility into speculative code paths through the intermediary layer

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS8881106B2Debugging parallel software using speculatively executed code sequences in a multiple core environment

Publication Date: 2014.11.04 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Methods and apparatus relating to debugging parallel software using speculatively executed code sequences in a multiple core environment are described. In an embodiment, occurrence of a speculative code debug event is detected and a speculative code execution debug module is executed in response to occurrence of the event. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.