Visual Progress Bar for Distributed Replay Debugging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Debugging distributed software applications is challenging due to the complexity of tracing errors in multi-threaded or distributed systems, where multiple machines execute different portions of the program, making it difficult to identify and diagnose errors in the code.

Innovation Solution

A visual progress bar in a replay debugger allows programmers to visually inspect and constrain message communications between components, enabling efficient debugging by supporting real-time replay, message logging, and user-defined constraints.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If replay debuggers replay the execution of distributed code in its entirety or only messages communicated between components, then the debugging capability is provided, but the ability to focus on a specific subset of messages is lost when numerous messages are generated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to focus on subset of messagesVSAvoidnumber of messages generated

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large set of messages into manageable subsets using a visual progress bar interface. The progress bar divides the message stream into time-based segments that developers can navigate, allowing them to focus on specific portions of the message log rather than being overwhelmed by the entire message set at once.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by allowing developers to constrain the replay to only the necessary subset of messages relevant to the bug being investigated. Instead of replaying all messages or even all messages between components, the system enables selective replay of specific message ranges or patterns that are pertinent to the debugging task.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Speed

If distributed systems spread computational burden across multiple computers, then faster computing speeds are achieved, but the difficulty of identifying and diagnosing errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing speedVSAvoiddifficulty of identifying errors

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a replay debugger as an intermediary tool that captures and stores messages between distributed components. This mediator allows developers to replay and analyze the exact sequence of messages that led to an error, making it easier to identify the source of bugs in distributed systems without needing to reproduce the complex multi-machine execution environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the message communications between distributed components and stores it for later replay. By copying the message log and enabling its replay, the system allows developers to examine the exact state and communications that led to an error, simplifying the detection and diagnosis process while maintaining the performance benefits of the distributed architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If replay debuggers provide comprehensive message replay capability, then debugging information is complete, but the time and effort required to diagnose errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of debugging informationVSAvoidtime to diagnose errors

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing and storing message logs during the initial execution of the distributed program. This preliminary capture of communication data allows for efficient replay and analysis later, eliminating the need to re-execute the entire distributed system and reducing the time required for debugging while maintaining complete debugging information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic control over the replay process, allowing developers to pause, step through, and selectively examine messages at their own pace. The system dynamically adjusts the replay based on developer interactions, enabling efficient navigation through message logs and rapid identification of error sources without being forced to review every message sequentially.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10649884B2Methods and system for constrained replay debugging with message communications

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 THE MITRE CORPORATION

AI summary

A graphical user interface configured to facilitate replay debugging in distributed software programs is provided. In one or more examples, the graphical user interface provides a visual progress bar, wherein a position on the visual progress bar corresponds to a log file generated when the distributed software program is executed. The user can manipulate the graphical user to replay the log files and visualize the state of the playback through the visual progress bar. The graphical user interface can also allow the user to provide watch points and can allow the user to visualize variables that are contained within the log files. The watch points can represent one or more conditions. The log files can be analyzed to determine if they meet the condition specified in the watch point, and if the log files meet the condition, a visual indication can be provided on the visual progress bar.