System for graphically representing operation of object-oriented programs

• US 4,885,717 A
• Filed: 09/25/1986
• Issued: 12/05/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tektronix Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Tektronix Incorporated (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Cunningham, Howard G. Jr., Beck, Kent L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shaw, Gareth D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHUN, DEBRA
• Application Number:
  US06/912,025
• Time in Patent Office: 1,167 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200 MS File, 364/900 MS File
• US Class Current: 717/125
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/323 Visualisation of programs or trace data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3664 Environments for testing or debugging software
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting

Abstract

A "diagramming debugger" creates a graphical representation of the sequence of messages sent during operation of an object-oriented program. When one object transmits a message to another object, the diagramming debugger displays representations of the transmitting and receiving objects on a computer screen, each representation comprising a box with labels identifying the represented object. The box representing a sending object includes therewithin a symbol (comprising, for example, one or more characters) identifying the method that sent the message, while the box representing the receiving object includes therewithin a symbol identifying the method invoked by the message. The message is represented by an arrow pointing from the symbol identifying the sending method to the symbol identifying the invoked method.

Claims

1. An object oriented program employing

a plurality of transmitting objects,

a plurality of receiving objects,

a plurality of messages, wherein said plurality of messages are transmitted to said plurality of receiving objects by said transmitting objects, and

an existing debugger routine, wherein said existing debugger routine can suspend operation of said program;

a diagramming debugger process comprising the steps of;

recording transmission of said plurality of messages from said plurality of transmitting objects as the program is running wherein said recording includes examining a next program instruction, recording names of transmitting objects, recording messages sent, recording names of receiving objects, and allowing the existing debugger operation to take place;

graphically representing the recorded transmission,

wherein said graphic representation includes;

a first plurality of area-limited representations of said transmitting objects;

a second plurality of area-limited representations of receiving objects; and

a third plurality of area-limited representations of said messages.

2. The diagramming debugger process according to claim 1 wherein:

said first plurality of area-limited representations of said transmitting objects comprise rectangular boxes, and wherein the names of said transmitting objects are in juxtaposition with said boxes.

3. The diagramming debugger process according to claim 1 wherein:

said second plurality of area-limited representations of said receiving objects comprise rectangular boxes, and wherein the names of said receiving objects are in juxtaposition with said boxes.

4. The diagramming debugger process according to claim 3 wherein:

said third plurality of area-limited representations of said messages comprise arrows and text, said arrows extending from said first area-limited representations to said second area-limited representations, and said text being placed in said rectangular boxes of said second plurality of area-limited representations.

5. A method for monitoring the operation of an object oriented program while operating a debugger routine in an object oriented programming system, including graphically representing the operation of said program while said program is running, wherein the method is executed by a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

halting the debugger;

duplicating a current context of said debugger;

examining the duplicate context;

recording transmitting objects, messages transmitted by said transmitting objects, and objects which receive said messages during examination of the duplicate context;

generating graphic representations of said recording, said representations comprising first area-limited representations of said transmitting objects, second area-limited representations of said receiving objects, and third area-limited representations of said messages; and

displaying said graphic representations as visible output.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein:

said first area-limited representations comprise first rectangles with the transmitting objects'"'"' names adjacent said first rectangles;

said second area-limited representations comprise second rectangles with the receiving objects'"'"' names adjacent said second rectangles; and

said third area-limited representations comprise arrows originating in said first rectangles and terminating in said second rectangles, with the text of said messages placed within the perimeter of said second rectangles.

7. The method according to claim 6 wherein

the step of generating said second representations further comprises modifying said first representations if the receiving objects are within the same class as the transmitting objects, said modifying comprising the steps of:

extending the rectangle of said first graphic representations;

adding the name of the receiving objects below the name of the transmitting objects; and

adding the name of the transmitted messages within the perimeter of the rectangles and adjacent to the receiving objects'"'"' names.

8. The method according to claim 5 wherein:

the step of displaying a visible output of said graphic representations comprises displaying an image on a computer terminal.

9. The method according to claim 5 wherein:

the step of displaying a visible output of said graphic representations comprises displaying an image on a computer printer.

10. The method according to claim 5 wherein said first area-limited representations of said transmitting objects are displayed in the temporal order in which the objects, which said representations represent, transmit messages.

11. The method according to claim 5 wherein said second area-limited representations of said receiving objects are displayed in the temporal order in which the objects, which said representations represent, receive messages.

12. The method according to claim 5 wherein said third area-limited representations of said messages are displayed in the temporal order in which messages, which said representations represent, are transmitted.

13. The method for monitoring the operation of an object oriented program while operating a debugger routine in an object oriented programming system, including graphically representing the operation of said program while said program is running, wherein the method is executed by a computer, the method comprising the steps of:

halting the debugger;

duplicating a current context of said debugger;

examining the duplicate context;

recording transmitting objects, messages transmitted by said transmitting objects, and objects which receive said messages during said examining of the duplicate context;

generating a plurality of area-limited graphic representations of said transmitting objects, of said receiving objects and, said messages; and

displaying said graphic representations as visible output.

14. The method according to claim 13 including selectively skipping one or more steps of displaying graphic representations of individual transmitting objects, graphic representations of messages, receiving objects.

15. A graphic debugger process used within an object oriented computer system while running an object oriented program, the process comprising:

acquiring transmitting-object information, receiving-object information and transmitted-message information;

generating area-limited graphic representations of said information; and

displaying said graphic representation.

16. A graphic debugger process as set forth in claim 15 wherein

the step of acquiring said transmitting object information, said receiving object information, and said transmitted message information comprises:

halting operation of an existing debugger routine;

duplicating the context of the existing debugger routine;

examining the operation of the existing debugger routine;

storing the transmitting-object information in memory;

storing the receiving-object information in memory;

storing the transmitted-message information in memory; and

continuing operation of the existing debugger routine.

17. A graphic debugger process as set forth in claim 16 wherein said generating area-limited graphic representations of said information comprises the steps of:

generating a first area-limited representation of said transmitting-object information, said first area-limited representation including a first rectangle with the transmitting object name adjacent to said first rectangle;

generating a second area-limited representation of said receiving-object information, said second area-limited representation including a second rectangle with the receiving object name adjacent to said second rectangle; and

generating a third area-limited representation of said transmitted-message information, said third area-limited representation including an arrow, originating proximate said first rectangle and terminating proximate said second rectangle, with the text of said message placed within the perimeter of said second rectangle.