Executable high-level trace file generation method
First Claim
1. A method of generating an executable and user-modifiable trace file script, the method comprising:
- performing execution of an executable instruction stream that invokes a sequence of high-level procedures; and
generating a trace file during execution of the executable instruction stream that represents invocations of the high-level procedure invocations as a human-readable script such that input parameters supplied to the high-level procedures by the executable instruction stream are documented in the trace file as immediate fixed values and such that return parameters supplied from the high-level procedures to the executable instruction stream are documented in the trace file as comments; and
responsive to a subsequent command, performing execution of the trace file to reproduce at least part of the behavior of the executable instruction stream.
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Abstract
An executable high-level trace file generation method provides reduced debugging effort and time, particularly on initial startup of new or modified hardware. An executable program invokes high-level application programming interfaces (APIs), to perform various tasks. Instructions within the APIs generate a trace file documenting the invoked sequence of APIs by writing a line to a trace file that documents the API and input parameters received by the API. Upon completion of execution of the API, the return value may be documented as a comment line in the trace file. The resulting trace file is then re-executable as a script and may be edited to alter the sequence of APIs invoked and/or the arguments provided. The script interpreter may be a command line interface through which the APIs are invoked, and trace files may be similarly generated that document sequences of manually entered commands.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method of generating an executable and user-modifiable trace file script, the method comprising:
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performing execution of an executable instruction stream that invokes a sequence of high-level procedures; and generating a trace file during execution of the executable instruction stream that represents invocations of the high-level procedure invocations as a human-readable script such that input parameters supplied to the high-level procedures by the executable instruction stream are documented in the trace file as immediate fixed values and such that return parameters supplied from the high-level procedures to the executable instruction stream are documented in the trace file as comments; and responsive to a subsequent command, performing execution of the trace file to reproduce at least part of the behavior of the executable instruction stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification