Detecting a stalled routine

• US 7,225,361 B2
• Filed: 02/21/2002
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CA, Inc. (d/b/a CA Technologies) (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Wily Technology, Inc. (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Cirne, Lewis K., Cobb, Jeffrey R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bonzo; Bryce P.
• Application Number:
  US10/079,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20020170036A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,923 Days
• Field of Search: 714/35, 714/38, 714/51, 714/55
• US Class Current: 714/38.13
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3419 by assessing time
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3612 by runtime analysis performance monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/81 Threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/88 Monitoring involving counting

Abstract

A system is disclosed that can determine whether a routine is stalled. The system does not require the developer of the routine to add code for the purpose of detecting whether the routine is stalled. Furthermore, the system can be used to monitor various routines at different levels of granularity, such as at the thread level, method level, or other levels. One embodiment of the present invention allows a user to specify a method and an expected time frame. Code for that method is modified to add additional code that implements a timing mechanism. The timing mechanism is used to detect when a thread enters that method and does not return within an approximation of the expected time frame. Other embodiments are also within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising:

accessing existing code for a first routine;

automatically modifying said existing code by changing said existing code and adding new code; and

using said new code and said changed existing code to determine if said first routine has stalled, wherein said step of automatically modifying comprises;

adding object code for a timing mechanism to said existing code,

adding a first instruction to said existing code for said first routine, said first instruction causes a starting of said timing mechanism for said first routine, said first instruction is object code, and

adding a second instruction to said existing object code for said first routine, said second instruction causes a stopping of said timing mechanism for said first routine, said second instruction is object code.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said existing code is modified prior to starting execution of said existing code;

said existing code is object code; and

said new code is object code.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said second instruction is added such that it is executed at all exits of said first routine.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said first routine is a method; and

said changing said existing code includes adding code to said method to call said new code.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said first routine is a thread.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein:

said first routine is one of a plurality of routines that comprise a process.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein said step of using comprises:

receiving an indication that said first routine has started;

starting a timing mechanism in response to said step of receiving;

receiving an indication that said first routine has completed if said first routine has completed, said indication is caused by said changed existing code;

stopping said timing mechanism in response to receiving said indication that said first routine has completed, if said first routine has completed; and

reporting said first routine as stalled if said timing mechanism is not stopped prior to said timing mechanism being overdue for said first routine.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said step of stopping said timing mechanism comprises the steps of:

determining whether said first routine has been reported as being stalled;

changing said reporting to no longer indicate that said first routine is stalled if said step of determining concludes that said first routine has been reported as being stalled; and

stopping said timing mechanism if said first routine has not been reported as being stalled.

9. A method according to claim 7, wherein:

said first routine is a thread executing a method, said indication that said first routine has completed indicates that said thread has exited said method.

10. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising:

accessing existing code for a first routine;

automatically modifying said existing code by changing said existing code and adding new and

using said new code and said changed existing code to determine if said first routine has stalled, wherein said existing code is modified prior to starting execution of said existing code, said existing code is object code and said new code is object code; and

receiving a user created rule, said rule identifies said first routine and an interval, said step of automatically modifying is performed in response to said rule, said first routine is considered to be stalled after a determination that said first routine has been running for at least as long as said interval.

11. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising:

accessing existing code for a first routine;

automatically modifying said existing code to include new code; and

using said new code to determine if said first routine has stalled, said step of using comprises;

receiving an indication that said first routine has started,

starting a timing mechanism in response to said step of receiving,

receiving an indication that said first routine has completed if said first routine has completed,

stopping said timing mechanism in response to receiving said indication that said first routine has completed,

accessing a current time,

verifying that said first routine is not known to be stalled or completed,

accessing a due time,

determining whether due time is earlier than said current time, said timing mechanism is overdue if said due time is earlier than said current time, and

reporting said first routine as stalled if said timing mechanism is not stopped prior to a determination that said timing mechanism is overdue.

12. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising:

receiving an indication that a particular routine has started, said particular routine is one of a plurality of routines that comprise a process;

starting a timing mechanism for said particular routine in response to said indication that said particular routine has started;

calculating a due time based on a current time and a time interval;

receiving an indication that said particular routine has completed, if said particular routine has completed;

determining whether said indication that said particular routine has completed is provided prior to said due time, said indication that said particular routine has completed is overdue if provided after said due time; and

reporting said particular routine as stalled if said indication that said particular routine has completed is not provided prior to being overdue.

13. A method according to claim 12, wherein:

said particular routine is a thread;

said plurality of routines are threads; and

at least two or more of said threads, including said particular routine, are run concurrently.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein:

said particular routine is a method.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein:

said steps of receiving an indication that a particular routine has started and receiving an indication that a particular routine has completed include detecting whether a thread enters said method and does not return within an approximation of an expected time frame.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein said determining whether said indication that said first routine has completed is provided prior to said due time comprises:

accessing a new current time;

verifying that said particular routine is not known to be stalled or completed;

accessing said due time; and

determining whether said due time is earlier than said new current time.

17. A method according to claim 12, wherein said step of calculating a due time comprises:

receiving a threshold;

accessing said current time;

determining said due time based on said threshold and said current time; and

adding a indication of said particular routine and said due time to a set of due times for other routines.

18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said step of determining comprises:

determining whether said particular routine has been reported as being stalled;

changing said reporting to no longer indicate that said particular routine is stalled if said particular routine has been reported as being stalled; and

removing said indication of said particular routine and said due time from said set of items if said particular routine has not been reported as being stalled.

19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising the step of:

repeatedly evaluating said set of due times to determine if any of said due times have passed.

20. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising:

receiving an indication that a particular routine has started, said particular routine is one of a plurality of routines that comprise a process;

receiving an indication that said particular routine has completed, if said particular routine has completed; and

reporting said particular routine as stalled if said indication that said particular routine has completed is not provided prior to being overdue, said particular routine is an instance of a defined routine, said step of reporting includes determining and reporting how many instances of said defined routine were stalled at a specified time.

21. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising:

receiving an indication that a particular routine has started, said particular routine is one of a plurality of routines that comprise a process;

receiving an indication that said particular routine has completed, if said particular routine has completed; and

reporting said particular routine as stalled if said indication that said particular routine has completed is not provided prior to being overdue, said particular routine is an instance of a defined routine, said step of reporting includes receiving a customizable specified time period and reporting how many instances of said defined routine were stalled during said specified time period.

22. A method for detecting whether a method has stalled, comprising:

receiving an indication that a particular method of an object is running;

automatically determining whether said method has stalled by detecting whether a thread entered said method and did not return within an approximation of an expected time frame;

determining whether said particular method has been previously reported as being stalled; and

changing said reporting to no longer indicate that said particular method is stalled if it is determined that said particular method has been reported as being stalled and said particular method is no longer stalled.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising the step of:

automatically changing existing object code for said method and adding new object code, said new object code performs at least a portion of said step of automatically determining.

24. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising the steps of:

receiving an indication that a first routine has started;

starting a timing mechanism in response to said indication that said first routine has started;

receiving an indication that said first routine has completed, if said first routine has completed;

stopping said timing mechanism in response to receiving said indication that said first routine has completed; and

reporting said first routine as stalled if said timing mechanism is not stopped prior to a determination that said timing mechanism is overdue, said first routine is an instance of a defined routine, said step of reporting includes incrementing a counter that represents a number of instances of said defined routine that are stalled and reporting said number of instances of said defined routine that are stalled.

25. A method according to claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

accessing a current time;

verifying that said first routine is not known to be stalled or completed;

accessing a due time for said first routine; and

determining whether said due time is earlier than said current time, said timing mechanism is overdue if said step of determining concludes that said first due time is earlier than said current time.

26. A method according to claim 24, wherein said step of stopping said timing mechanism comprises the steps of:

determining whether said first routine has been reported as being stalled;

changing said reporting to no longer indicate that said first routine is stalled if said first routine has been reported as being stalled; and

stopping said timing mechanism if said first routine has not been reported as being stalled.

27. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising the steps of:

receiving an indication that a first routine has started;

starting a timing mechanism in response to said indication that said first routine has started;

receiving an indication that said first routine has completed, if said first routine has completed;

stopping said timing mechanism in response to receiving said indication that said first routine has completed; and

reporting said first routine as stalled if said timing mechanism is not stopped prior to a determination that said timing mechanism is overdue, said first routine is an instance of a defined routine, said step of reporting includes receiving a customizable specified time period and reporting how many instances of said defined were stalled during said specified time period.

28. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising:

accessing existing code for a first method;

automatically modifying said existing code for said first method by changing said existing code and adding new code; and

using said new code and said changed existing code to determine if said first method has stalled, wherein said step of automatically modifying comprises,

adding object code for a timing mechanism to said existing code,

adding a first instruction to said existing code for said first method, said first instruction causes a starting of said timing mechanism for said first method, said first instruction is object code, and

adding a second instruction to said existing object code for said first method, said second instruction causes a stopping of said timing mechanism for said first method, said second instruction is object code.

29. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28, wherein said step of using comprises:

receiving an indication that said first method has started;

starting a timing mechanism in response to said step of receiving;

receiving an indication that said first method has completed, if said first method has completed;

stopping said timing mechanism in response to receiving said indication that said first method has completed; and

reporting said first method as stalled if said timing mechanism is not stopped prior to a determination that said timing mechanism is overdue for said first method.

30. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28, wherein:

said existing code is object code; and

said new code is object code.

31. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28, wherein:

said adding new code includes adding object code for a timing mechanism;

said changing said existing code includes adding a first instruction and a second instruction, said first instruction causes a starting of said timing mechanism and said second instruction causes a stopping of said timing mechanism.

32. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more storage devices; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices, said one or more processors perform a method comprising;

accessing object code for a first routine,

automatically changing said object code and adding new code, and

using said changed object code and said new code to determine if said first routine has stalled, wherein said step of automatically modifying comprises,

adding object code for a timing mechanism to said object code,

adding a first instruction to said object code for said first routine, said first instruction causes a starting of said timing mechanism for said first routine, said first instruction is object code, and

adding a second instruction to said object code for said first routine, said second instruction causes a stopping of said timing mechanism for said first routine, said second instruction is object code.

33. An apparatus according to claim 32, wherein said step of using comprises the steps of:

receiving an indication that said first routine has started;

starting a timing mechanism in response to said step of receiving;

receiving an indication that said first routine has completed, if said first routine has completed;

stopping said timing mechanism in response to receiving said indication that said first routine has completed; and

reporting said first routine as stalled if said timing mechanism is not stopped prior to a determination that said timing mechanism is overdue.

34. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising:

receiving an indication that a particular routine has started;

starting a timing mechanism for said particular routine in response to said indication that said particular routine has started;

calculating a due time based on a current time and a time interval;

receiving an indication that said particular routine has completed, if said particular routine has completed;

determining if said indication that said particular routine has completed is provided prior to said due time, said indication that said particular routine has completed is overdue if provided after said due time; and

reporting said particular routine as stalled if said indication that said particular routine has completed is not provided prior to being overdue.

35. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising:

receiving an indication that a particular routine has started;

receiving an indication that said particular routine has completed, if said particular routine has completed; and

reporting said particular routine as stalled if said indication that said particular routine has completed is not provided prior to being overdue, said particular routine is an instance of a defined routine, said step of reporting includes incrementing a counter that represents a number of instances of said defined routine that are currently stalled and reporting said number of instances of said defined routine that are currently stalled.

36. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more storage devices; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices, said one or more processors perform a method comprising;

receiving an indication that a particular routine is running, said particular routine is one of a plurality of routines that comprise a process,

automatically determining that said particular routine has not stalled,

determining that said particular routine has been previously reported as being stalled, and

changing said reporting to no longer indicate that said particular routine is stalled.

37. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein:

said step of automatically determining that said particular routine has not stalled includes detecting that a thread enters a method and returns within an approximation of an expected time frame.

38. An apparatus according to claim 36, wherein said method further comprises the step of:

automatically changing existing object code for said particular routine and adding new object code to said existing object code, said new object code performs said step of automatically determining.

39. A method for detecting whether a routine has stalled, comprising:

receiving an indication that a particular routine has started, said particular routine is one of a plurality of routines that comprise a process;

receiving an indication that said particular routine has completed, if said particular routine has completed; and

reporting said particular routine as stalled if said indication that said particular routine has completed is not provided prior to being overdue, said particular routine is an instance of a defined routine, said step of reporting includes incrementing a counter that represents a number of instances of said defined routine that are currently stalled and reporting said number of instances of said defined routine that are currently stalled.