Execution Trace Context Embedding via Offset-Based String Encoding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Information handling systems lack the ability to efficiently log processor execution traces with context, leading to inefficiencies in debugging tasks, as previous methods did not provide sufficient information to determine the specific values or conditions leading to code flow changes.
Innovation Solution
A processor-based execution logging system that encodes strings into a series of processor instructions, where each instruction points to addresses in a memory array, allowing for the recovery of characters by determining offsets from a base address, and logs subroutine call instructions to decode the embedded messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If execution traces are logged to memory or another computer system, then trace data can be stored and analyzed, but context information for code flow changes is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent embeds context strings within the execution trace data structure itself, nesting additional information layers within the existing trace framework. This allows context information to be contained within trace records without requiring separate logging systems, thereby preventing information loss while maintaining debugging productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces context strings as intermediary elements that bridge the gap between raw execution traces and meaningful debugging information. These strings act as mediators that provide human-readable context about code flow changes, transforming opaque trace data into actionable debugging insights
2Measurement precision
If branch log shows that a branch occurred because a value was above zero, then branching information is captured, but the specific value cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter representation by embedding context strings that contain specific value information alongside the conditional branch information. Instead of only logging that a value was above zero, the system now captures and logs the actual context strings that reflect the specific values and conditions, thereby improving measurement precision without losing information
3Reliability
If execution logging provides information associated with instruction execution, then trace data is generated, but encoding and decoding overhead is introduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary encoding of context strings into execution traces during the normal instruction execution flow. By embedding the context information upfront in the trace data structure, the system ensures trace data accuracy is maintained from the source, while the decoding complexity is managed through systematic offset-based retrieval rather than complex reconstruction algorithms
Data Source
AI summary
In one or more embodiments, one or more methods, processes and/or systems may receive multiple characters (e.g., a string), determine multiple offsets respectively corresponding to the multiple characters, determine multiple addresses based on a base address and the multiple offsets respectively corresponding to the multiple characters, and execute multiple subroutine call instructions to each of the multiple addresses. In one or more embodiments, an execution log of the subroutine call instructions to each of the multiple addresses may be analyzed. For instance, the execution log of the subroutine call instructions to each of the multiple addresses may be utilized in determining the multiple characters (e.g., the string) that were received. In one or more embodiments, determining the multiple characters may include determining offsets from a base address and utilizing the offsets as a mapping to characters. For example, the string may be recovered and/or recreated from the offsets.