Method and apparatus for managing event logs for processes in a digital data processing system
First Claim
1. A method for generating event records for processes executed in a computer system, comprising the computer-executed steps of:
- (a) executing a plurality of process in a computer system;
(b) maintaining a respective event record data structure for each said executing process, each said event record data structure recording respective events occurring during execution of the corresponding process, each said event record data recording said respective events in an encoded format not intended for reading by a human user;
(c) maintaining each said event record data structure for a respective time interval after completion of the corresponding process, said time interval being sufficiently long for a human user to determine a need for a log of said events formatted in human-readable form;
(d) if a request to generate a log formatted in human-readable form from a said event record data structure is received from a human user after completion of the corresponding process and before expiration of said respective time interval, then automatically generating said log formatted in human-readable form responsive to said request; and
(e) if a request to generate a log formatted in human readable form from said event record data structure is not received from a human user after completion of the corresponding process and before expiration of said respective time interval, then automatically deleting said event record data structure.
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Abstract
Data structures which maintain event records for executing processes are maintained in a persistent form after the process which created each respective such event record data structure is terminated. The event record data structures are eventually de-allocated, preferably by an automated process which de-allocates the event record data structures after a pre-specified time period. A log formatted in human-readable form is generated, if at all, on demand of a user after completion of the process, and before de-allocation of the event record. By deferring the decision to generate a human-readable log, unnecessary event log generation and potential contention for system resources is avoided.
72 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A method for generating event records for processes executed in a computer system, comprising the computer-executed steps of:
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(a) executing a plurality of process in a computer system;
(b) maintaining a respective event record data structure for each said executing process, each said event record data structure recording respective events occurring during execution of the corresponding process, each said event record data recording said respective events in an encoded format not intended for reading by a human user;
(c) maintaining each said event record data structure for a respective time interval after completion of the corresponding process, said time interval being sufficiently long for a human user to determine a need for a log of said events formatted in human-readable form;
(d) if a request to generate a log formatted in human-readable form from a said event record data structure is received from a human user after completion of the corresponding process and before expiration of said respective time interval, then automatically generating said log formatted in human-readable form responsive to said request; and
(e) if a request to generate a log formatted in human readable form from said event record data structure is not received from a human user after completion of the corresponding process and before expiration of said respective time interval, then automatically deleting said event record data structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A computer program product for generating event records for processes executed in a computer system, comprising:
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a plurality of computer-executable instructions recorded on signal-bearing media, wherein said instructions, when executed by at least one computer system, cause the at least one computer system to perform the steps of;
(a) maintaining a respective event record data structure for each of a plurality of processes executing in said computer system, each said event record data structure recording respective events occurring during execution of the corresponding process, each said event record data recording said respective events in an encoded format not intended for reading by a human user;
(b) maintaining each said event record data structure for a respective time interval after completion of the corresponding process, said time interval being sufficiently long for a human user to determine a need for a log of said events formatted in human-readable form;
(c) if a request to generate a log formatted in human-readable form from a said event record data structure is received from a human user after completion of the corresponding process and before expiration of said respective time interval, then automatically generating said log formatted in human-readable form responsive to said request; and
(d) if a request to generate a log formatted in human readable form from said event record data structure is not received from a human user after completion of the corresponding process and before expiration of said respective time interval, then automatically deleting said event record data structure. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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12. A computer system, comprising:
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at least one processor;
a memory for storing data including computer programs executable on said at least one processor;
an operating system which maintains process state data for a plurality of processes executing on said at least one processor, said process state data including a respective event record data structure for each of a plurality of said executing processes, each said event record data structure recording respective events occurring during execution of the corresponding process, each said event record data recording said respective events in an encoded format not intended for reading by a human user;
wherein said operating system further generates respective logs of said events recorded in each said event record data structure, wherein, for at least some said event record data structures, said operating system maintains the event record data structure for a respective time interval after completion of the corresponding process, said time interval being sufficiently long for a human user to determine a need for a log of said events formatted in human-readable form, and (a) automatically generates said log formatted in human-readable form responsive to a request received from a human user after completion of the corresponding process and before expiration of said respective time interval, and (b) automatically deletes said event record data structure without generating said log formatted in human-readable form if no such request is received from a human user before expiration of said respective time interval. - View Dependent Claims (11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification