Software defect detection identifying location of diverging paths
US9563541B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 27, 2015 |
| Grant date | Feb 7, 2017 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 27, 2035 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2201/865
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Embodiments detect differences between software systems by comparing statements collected therefrom in an order of execution. Highlighting point(s) of divergence between the executed statements allows rapid localization of differences between the software systems, which may be minor and otherwise difficult to discern within large volumes of underlying code. In some embodiments a highlighted departure in statement order may be attributable to slight code differences between the two software systems. In other embodiments the software systems may have identical code but reference different configuration data (e.g. as configuration files), a subtle distinction also revealed by comparing an order of executed statements. Certain embodiments may perform tracing/comparison between an order of execution of only selected statement types (e.g., SQL operations, database access, kernel events) based upon their specificity and ability to reveal significant functional differences. This can reduce processing and/or memory burden(s) when comparing lengthy volumes of executed statements between complex systems.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.