Static debugging tool and method
DCFirst Claim
1. A static debugging tool for use with a computer and for debugging a binary program file without requiring the execution of the binary program file in order to detect the presence of program errors and potential program errors, the static debugging tool comprising:
- an analyzer for causing die computer to statically analyze a representation of the binary program file to detect the presence of program errors or potential program errors in the representation of the binary program file without executing the binary program file, wherein the representation of the binary program file is an intermediate file; and
an output arrangement for causing the computer to output an error list of the errors or potential errors detected by the analyzer.
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Abstract
A static debugging tool for use with a computer and for debugging a binary program file includes an analyzer for causing the computer to statically analyze a representation of a binary program file to detect the presence of program errors and potential errors in the binary program file without executing the binary program file. The static debugging tool causes the computer to output an error list of the errors and potential errors detected by the analyzer. In a preferred embodiment, the analyzer detects the errors and potential errors in the representation of the binary program file by following all of the possible flow paths of the representation of the binary program file while tracking the use of various program parameters for any inconsistent use of the various program parameters. A method for statically debugging a binary program file is also described.
119 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A static debugging tool for use with a computer and for debugging a binary program file without requiring the execution of the binary program file in order to detect the presence of program errors and potential program errors, the static debugging tool comprising:
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an analyzer for causing die computer to statically analyze a representation of the binary program file to detect the presence of program errors or potential program errors in the representation of the binary program file without executing the binary program file, wherein the representation of the binary program file is an intermediate file; and an output arrangement for causing the computer to output an error list of the errors or potential errors detected by the analyzer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of detecting program errors or potential program errors in a binary program file, the method comprising the steps of:
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statically analyzing representation of the binary program file to detect program errors and potential program errors without executing the binary program file by searching through the binary program file while tracking the use of various program parameters for any inconsistent use of the various program parameters throughout the binary program file, wherein the representation of the binary program includes an intermediate file that represents the binary program file and includes flow paths and flow structure associated with the binary program; and outputting an error list of the errors or potential errors detected during the analyzing step. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer readable medium having program instructions for:
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causing a computer to statically analyze a representation of a binary program file that takes the form of an intermediate program file that includes flow paths and flow structure associated with the binary program, to detect the presence of program errors or potential program errors in the binary program file without executing the binary program file; and causing the computer to output an error list of the errors or potential errors detected. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification