Time-based breakpoints in debuggers

Abstract

A time-based breakpoint facility is provided in a debugger, to allow programmers to establish time-based breakpoints at any line of code. If the line is executed and the time specified elapses, then the program execution consequently stops. The debugger keeps track of the time elapsed for each such time-based breakpoint. There may be many criteria for calculation of the time for each breakpoint.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A method for debugging a computer program using a time-based breakpoint suitable for assisting in debugging a computer software program, the method comprising the steps of: 
 encountering a breakpoint associated with execution of code that is being debugged;    activating a timer to monitor a measure of time;    monitoring the timer to determine when the monitored time exceeds a predetermined period of time; and    performing a predetermined action once the monitored time exceeds the predetermined time period.    
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the monitored timer measures time elapsed since the breakpoint was encountered.  
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the monitored timer measures time elapsed during which a central processing unit executes a relevant process, since the breakpoint is encountered.  
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the monitored timer measures time elapsed during which a central processing unit executes a relevant process and a an operating system kernel, since the breakpoint is encountered.  
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined action comprises the step of suspending execution of a relevant process, which process relates to the code being debugged.  
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined action comprises the step of inserting a further breakpoint in the code being debugged.  
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: 
 suspending execution of a relevant process, which relates to the code being debugged, once the breakpoint is encountered.    
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined action comprises the step of resuming execution of the suspended process, which process relates to the code being debugged.  
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , further comprising the step of resuming execution of the suspended relevant process after said step of suspending execution of the relevant process.  
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the monitored timer measures time elapsed since execution of the relevant process is resumed.  
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined action comprises the steps of: 
 re-suspending execution of the relevant process;    deactivating the encountered breakpoint in the code being debugged; and    resuming execution of the re-suspended relevant process, after deactivating the encountered breakpoint.    
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined action comprises the steps of: 
 re-suspending execution of the relevant process;    removing the encountered breakpoint in the code being debugged; and    resuming execution of the re-suspended relevant process, after deactivating the encountered breakpoint.    
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the predetermined action is performed only if user input is not received within the monitored time.  
     
     
         14 . Computer software, recorded on a medium, for debugging a computer program using a time-based breakpoint suitable for assisting in debugging a computer software program, the computer software comprising: 
 code means for encountering a breakpoint associated with execution of code that is being debugged;    code means for activating a timer to monitor a measure of time;    code means for monitoring the timer to determine when the monitored time exceeds a predetermined period of time; and    code means for performing a predetermined action once the monitored time exceeds the predetermined time period.    
     
     
         15 . A computer system for debugging a computer program using a time-based breakpoint suitable for assisting in debugging a computer software program, the computer system comprising: 
 means for encountering a breakpoint associated with execution of code that is being debugged;    means for activating a timer to monitor a measure of time;    means for monitoring the timer to determine when the monitored time exceeds a predetermined period of time; and    means for performing a predetermined action once the monitored time exceeds the predetermined time period.