Stepping and application state viewing between points

• US 20080120605A1
• Filed: 10/31/2006
• Published: 05/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Rosen, Douglas J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,429,613 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/129
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/362 Software debugging
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3624 by performing operations on the source code, e.g. via a compiler

Abstract

Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing stepping and state viewing in a debugger application. A start and end breakpoint are assigned. Source code execution begins, and upon reaching the start breakpoint, a logging feature begins storing one or more values that may be impacted upon execution of code between the start breakpoint and an end breakpoint. More lines of source code are executed until the end breakpoint is reached. When the end breakpoint is reached, the debugger is put into break mode. While in break mode, a playback feature is provided to allow a user to play back a path of execution that occurred between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint. The playback feature uses at least some of the values that were stored with the logging feature to show how each referenced variable changed in value.

Claims

1. A method for providing stepping and state viewing in a debugger application comprising the steps of:

upon reaching a start breakpoint using a debugger, beginning a logging feature that stores one or more values that may be impacted upon execution of code between the start breakpoint and an end breakpoint;

executing one or more lines of code until the end breakpoint is reached;

when the end breakpoint is reached, putting the debugger into break mode; and

providing a playback feature to allow a user to play back a path of execution that occurred between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint, the playback feature using at least some of the one or more values that were stored with the logging feature.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein upon entering break mode, an end value and a current value are displayed for one or more referenced variables.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the logging feature is turned off when the end breakpoint is reached.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint are assigned by a user.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the start breakpoint is assigned programmatically after a user sets the end breakpoint.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the start breakpoint is assigned programmatically at the beginning of a function that includes the end breakpoint.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the logging feature analyzes one or more intermediate language files to help determine at least a portion of the one or more values to store.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the logging feature comprises:

saving a value of each referenced variable that is in scope.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the logging feature comprises:

saving each variable reference that is present in a current function and each source location visited during execution.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the playback feature is bidirectional and thereby allows a user to move forward and backward between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint to play back the path of execution that occurred.

11. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the steps recited in claim 1.

12. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform steps comprising:

provide a breakpoint feature to allow a start breakpoint and an end breakpoint to be assigned to a portion of source code;

provide a logging feature that stores one or more values that may be impacted upon execution of the portion of source code between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint; and

provide a playback feature that becomes available when the end breakpoint is reached and break mode is entered, the playback feature allowing a user to play back a path of execution that occurred between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint by using at least some of the one or more values that were stored with the logging feature.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the breakpoint feature is operable to allow the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint to be assigned by a user.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the breakpoint feature is operable to allow the start breakpoint to be assigned programmatically if a user does not assign the start breakpoint.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the breakpoint feature is operable to assign the start breakpoint programmatically to a beginning section of a function containing the end breakpoint.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the logging feature is operable to save a value of each referenced variable that is in scope.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the playback feature is operable to provide bidirectional playback, thereby allowing a user to move forward and backward between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint to play back a path of execution that occurred.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the playback feature is operable to display a current value and an ending value of each referenced variable at a particular point in a code execution between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint.

19. A method for providing stepping and state viewing in a debugger application comprising the steps of:

receiving assignment of a start breakpoint and an end breakpoint;

beginning code execution of a plurality of lines of source code;

upon reaching the start breakpoint, saving one or more source locations and one or more current values of each referenced variable that is in scope in the current function and any additional functions that are entered before reaching the end breakpoint;

stopping code execution when the end breakpoint is reached;

entering a break mode; and

using at least a portion of the saved one or more current values of each referenced variable to provide a playback feature to allow a user to play back how each referenced variable changed in value between the start breakpoint and the end breakpoint.

20. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform the steps recited in claim 19.