Debugging with set verbosity level during read and analysis of executable code and associated comments while logging according to set verbosity level

• US 7,231,633 B2
• Filed: 07/15/2003
• Issued: 06/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: LSI Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Grassens, Leonardus
• Primary Examiner(s): INGBERG, TODD D
• Application Number:
  US10/620,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20050015751A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,428 Days
• Field of Search: 717/124, 717125-133, 717141-144, 717/112
• US Class Current: 717/124
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3624 by performing operations on the source code, e.g. via a compiler

Abstract

A debugging tool for computer program development that analyzes the computer program adds output statements at strategic locations throughout the program. The output statements may include the filename and line number of the original source code and may further include a listing of the executed command as well as values of certain expressions and/or variables as defined by the requested verbosity. The verbosity may be set at different levels throughout the source code as required.

Claims

1. A computerized method for debugging a computer source code having a plurality of lines of code comprising:

creating a separate computer source code to hold an annotated source code;

setting a verbosity level to a predetermined level;

traversing through said computer source code by reading and analyzing a portion of said computer source code from a start to an end of said computer source code one portion of said computer source code at a time, said reading and analyzing comprising;

reading said portion of said computer source code, said portion of said computer source code comprising executable statements and comments;

determining if said portion of said computer source code comprises an executable statement;

writing said executable statement to said annotated source code if said portion of said computer source code comprises said executable statement;

reading said verbosity level to determine desired content for said annotated source code;

constructing an output statement comprising said desired content for said executable statement according to said verbosity level, said output statement further comprising commands that write said desired content to a log file;

writing said output statement to said annotated source code; and

repeating said steps of reading and analyzing said portion of said computer source code on a next portion of said computer source code until said end of said computer source code is reached;

causing said annotated source code to be executed in place of said computer source code such that said annotated source code operation is recorded in said log file; and

evaluating said log file to find problems with said computer source code.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer source code is used with a compiler.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said computer source code is used with an interpreter.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said reading and analyzing of said portion of said computer source code further comprises:

determining if said portion of said computer source code comprises a comment;

analyzing said comment to determine that said comment contains an embedded verbosity level statement defining an embedded verbosity level; and

setting said verbosity level to said embedded verbosity level defined in said embedded verbosity level statement.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said output statement is comprised of at least an indicator of the location of said executable statement within said computer source code.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said indicator of the location of said executable statement comprises:

a file name of said source code; and

a line number of said portion of said source code.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein said output statement further comprises at least a portion of said executable statement.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said output statement further comprises at least one variable name and at least one variable value.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein said output statement further comprises a function name.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

updating said computer source code to correct said problems with said computer source code;

deleting said annotated source code;

performing said computerized method for debugging said computer source code on said updated computer source code such that a new annotated source code is created, executed and evaluated; and

repeating until said computer source code operation is deemed satisfactory.

11. A computer program that assists debugging of a computer source code having a plurality of lines of code comprising:

a first routine that creates a separate computer source code to hold an annotated source code;

a second routine that sets a verbosity level to a predetermined level;

a third routine that traverses through said computer source code and reads and analyzes a portion of said computer source code from a start to an end of said computer source code one portion of said computer source code at a time, said reading and analyzing comprising;

a first subroutine that reads said portion of said computer source code, said portion of said computer source code being comprised of executable statements and comments;

a second subroutine that determines if said portion of said computer source code is comprised of an executable statement;

a third subroutine that writes said executable statement to said annotated source code if said portion of said computer source code comprises said executable statement;

a fourth subroutine that reads said verbosity level to determine desired contect for said annotated source code;

a fifth subroutine that constructs an output statement comprised of said desired content for said executable statement according to said verbosity level, said output statement further comprised of commands that write said desired content to a log file;

a sixth subroutine that writes said output statement to said annotated source code; and

a seventh subroutine that repeats said reading and analyzing of said portion of said computer source code on a next portion of said computer source code until said end of said computer source code is reached; and

wherein said annotated source code may be executed in place of said computer source code such that said annotated source code operation is recorded in said log file and said log file may be evaluated to find problems with said computer source code.

12. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said computer source code is used with a compiler.

13. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said computer source code is used with an interpreter.

14. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said reading and analyzing of said portion of said computer source code further comprises:

an eight subroutine that determines if said portion of said computer source code comprises a comment;

a ninth subroutine that analyzes said comment to determine if said comment contains an embedded verbosity level statement defining an embedded verbosity level; and

a tenth subroutine that sets said verbosity level to said embedded verbosity level defined in said embedded verbosity level statement.

15. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said output statement is comprised of at least an indicator of the location of said executable statement within said computer source code.

16. The computer program of claim 15 wherein said indicator of the location of said executable statement comprises:

a file name of said source code; and

a line number of said portion of said source code.

17. The computer program of claim 15 wherein said output statement further comprises at least a portion of said executable statement.

18. The computer program of claim 15 wherein said output statement further comprises at least one variable name and at least one variable value.

19. The computer program of claim 15 wherein said output statement further comprises a function name.