Trace Recording Compression via Address Value Pattern Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Debugging software applications is time-consuming due to the large size of trace files required for 'time travel' debugging, which consumes significant storage resources and affects performance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves identifying patterns in memory addresses and values to reduce storage by recording only flag bits and omitting redundant data, allowing for efficient compression and storage of trace files.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full memory addresses and values are recorded in trace files, then complete debugging information is available, but storage requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and records only the essential debugging information needed for effective debugging, rather than storing complete memory addresses and values. By identifying and recording only the minimal necessary data elements, the system maintains debugging reliability while dramatically reducing storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter representation by recording memory information in a compressed format that captures the essential debugging characteristics without storing complete address and value data. This parameter transformation enables the system to maintain debugging capability while reducing the quantity of stored information.
2Measurement precision
If large trace files are used for comprehensive debugging data, then debugging accuracy is improved, but writing and reading performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical debugging information needed for accurate debugging, eliminating redundant data that would slow down writing and reading operations. This extraction maintains debugging accuracy while improving trace file processing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by recording only the necessary portion of memory information required for debugging, rather than storing complete memory states. This partial recording approach maintains sufficient debugging accuracy while significantly reducing the time required to write and read trace files.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complete memory states are stored, then debugging capability is enhanced, but memory usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and stores only the essential memory information required for debugging operations, rather than maintaining complete memory states. This extraction preserves the necessary debugging capability while reducing the memory resources required to store trace information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the memory representation by storing compressed memory information that captures debugging-relevant characteristics without maintaining full memory state data. This parameter change enables the system to preserve debugging versatility while reducing memory consumption.
4Reliability
If full trace data is communicated, then debugging information completeness is maintained, but bandwidth requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and transmits only the essential debugging information from memory traces, eliminating redundant data that would consume bandwidth. This extraction maintains the completeness of debugging information while reducing the bandwidth required to communicate trace files.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the data representation by encoding memory information in a compressed format that preserves debugging completeness while reducing the amount of data that must be communicated over the network or storage interface.
Data Source
AI summary
Recording a memory address includes identifying a first subset of high bits of the memory address, determining that a first value of the first subset equals a second value of a group of high bits already recorded, recording a second subset of low bits of the memory address while refraining from recording the first subset, and setting one or more flag bits to indicate that only the second subset were recorded. Also, recording a memory value includes identifying a plurality of groups of consecutive bits of the memory value, determining that a first group contains bits having a defined pattern and that a second group contains bits lacking the defined pattern, recording the second group while refraining from recording at least a portion of the first group, and setting one or more flag bits to indicate that the first group was not recorded.