Variable State Management via GUI Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for saving, replacing, and comparing variable states in software debugging are tedious and inefficient, often requiring intimate familiarity with development environments and involving manual copying and pasting into word processors or paper.
Innovation Solution
A Graphical User Interface (GUI) based system that allows users to save, replace, and compare variable states by identifying and selecting variables at a breakpoint, using drag-and-drop, right-click menus, and hotkeys to manage state values, with serialization for data storage and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual copying and pasting methods are used to save variable states, then the process can be completed with basic tools, but the process becomes tedious and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a word processor as an intermediary tool between the development environment and the tester. The word processor serves as a mediator that automatically captures variable states from the development environment and stores them in a structured format, eliminating the need for manual copying and pasting while maintaining ease of operation through a familiar interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by automatically capturing and storing variable states without requiring active user intervention for each state. The word processor automatically records variable states when the program executes specific lines of code, allowing testers to save states efficiently without manual effort while maintaining ease of access through the word processor interface.
2Extent of automation
If command line functions are used to manipulate variable states, then automation is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and requires intimate familiarity with the development environment
Solution Approach 1:
The word processor acts as an intermediary that provides a simplified, familiar interface for accessing automated variable state manipulation functions. Instead of requiring testers to learn complex command line functions, the word processor presents variable states and manipulation options in an intuitive format, maintaining high automation while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates simplified copies of the development environment's variable state data within the word processor. These copies are presented in a user-friendly format that maintains the power of automated manipulation while eliminating the complexity of command line interfaces, making automation accessible to users without intimate familiarity with the development environment.
3Ease of manufacture
If variable states are recorded on paper, then no special tools are required, but the process is tedious and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The word processor system performs self-service by automatically capturing variable states from the development environment and storing them without requiring manual intervention. This eliminates the tedious paper recording process while maintaining simplicity, as the automation handles the complex task of state capture and the user simply interacts with the familiar word processor interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates digital copies of variable states in the word processor, replacing paper recordings with automated electronic captures. This maintains the simplicity of using a familiar tool (word processor) while dramatically improving efficiency through automation, eliminating the need for manual transcription while keeping the interface simple and accessible.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes a computer readable storage medium with executable instructions to run a segment of code and identify associated variables. The segment of code is stopped at a predetermined breakpoint and state values that correspond to the associated variables are identified. A variable is selected from the associated variables via a Graphical User Interface, where the selected variable has a variable state. The variable state is saved to a data store via the Graphical User Interface.