Patents by Inventor Alan S. Boxall

Alan S. Boxall has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10956302
    Abstract: Selected information to be used for code coverage collection of an application is obtained. The selected information is a subset of debug information determined for the application and includes entry point offset information for entry points of the application. Using the entry point offset information, one or more traps are installed in the application. Code coverage collection is performed, in which a determination is made as to whether a trap has been reached. Based on the trap being reached, reach information is provided. The reach information is used to determine code being utilized in the application and for which one or more test cases are to be specifically targeted, rather than testing the application in its entirety, to reduce cycle time within the processor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Violaine Batthish, Alan S. Boxall, Thomas L. Ellis, Trong Truong
  • Publication number: 20200125477
    Abstract: Selected information to be used for code coverage collection of an application is obtained. The selected information is a subset of debug information determined for the application and includes entry point offset information for entry points of the application. Using the entry point offset information, one or more traps are installed in the application. Code coverage collection is performed, in which a determination is made as to whether a trap has been reached. Based on the trap being reached, reach information is provided. The reach information is used to determine code being utilized in the application and for which one or more test cases are to be specifically targeted, rather than testing the application in its entirety, to reduce cycle time within the processor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 23, 2020
    Inventors: Violaine Batthish, Alan S. Boxall, Thomas L. Ellis, Trong Truong
  • Patent number: 10204029
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for setting a stack pattern breakpoint for a COBOL program are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include providing a static program control flow view of a plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may further include enabling a user to select the stack pattern using the static program control flow view of the plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may also include setting, by a processing device, the stack pattern breakpoint in source code of the COBOL program using information from a compiler compiling the COBOL program to create a pseudo-stack that can be operated on by a debugger to evaluate stack pattern conditions for the plurality of COBOL paragraphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Morris Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Patent number: 10169192
    Abstract: An approach for collection and presentation of runtime data semantics. At least one of code-coverage history, system runtime history and code version information are received. An inspection line of code or variable(s) are received and runtime data semantics is retrieved from at least one of code-coverage history, system runtime history and code version information. The runtime data semantics are filtered based on the inspection line of code and/or variable(s) and are output.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Steven Cooper, Tao Guan, Trong Truong
  • Patent number: 9740593
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, machines, systems, methods and computer program products for controlling two or more remote sessions are provided. Two or more remote sessions are synchronized to control each session using a common interface. One or more executable commands are sent to each remote session at substantially the same time using the common interface to control operation of that remote session. Data generated by each remote session from executing the commands is received and analyzed to identify one or more differences in data generated by each remote session. The one or more identified differences in the data are displayed on the common interface. An indication may be provided regarding possible root causes of the differences in the data generated by each remote session. Each remote session includes a program debug session. A report comprising the one or more identified differences in the data may be generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, James T. Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Publication number: 20170206151
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for setting a stack pattern breakpoint for a COBOL program are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include providing a static program control flow view of a plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may further include enabling a user to select the stack pattern using the static program control flow view of the plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may also include setting, by a processing device, the stack pattern breakpoint in source code of the COBOL program using information from a compiler compiling the COBOL program to create a pseudo-stack that can be operated on by a debugger to evaluate stack pattern conditions for the plurality of COBOL paragraphs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2017
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Morris Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Publication number: 20170199804
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for setting a stack pattern breakpoint for a COBOL program are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include providing a static program control flow view of a plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may further include enabling a user to select the stack pattern using the static program control flow view of the plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may also include setting, by a processing device, the stack pattern breakpoint in source code of the COBOL program using information from a compiler compiling the COBOL program to create a pseudo-stack that can be operated on by a debugger to evaluate stack pattern conditions for the plurality of COBOL paragraphs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Morris Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Publication number: 20170199802
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for setting a stack pattern breakpoint for a COBOL program are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include providing a static program control flow view of a plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may further include enabling a user to select the stack pattern using the static program control flow view of the plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may also include setting, by a processing device, the stack pattern breakpoint in source code of the COBOL program using information from a compiler compiling the COBOL program to create a pseudo-stack that can be operated on by a debugger to evaluate stack pattern conditions for the plurality of COBOL paragraphs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Morris Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Patent number: 9703673
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for setting a stack pattern breakpoint for a COBOL program are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include providing a static program control flow view of a plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may further include enabling a user to select the stack pattern using the static program control flow view of the plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may also include setting, by a processing device, the stack pattern breakpoint in source code of the COBOL program using information from a compiler compiling the COBOL program to create a pseudo-stack that can be operated on by a debugger to evaluate stack pattern conditions for the plurality of COBOL paragraphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Morris Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Patent number: 9703674
    Abstract: Examples of techniques for setting a stack pattern breakpoint for a COBOL program are disclosed. In one example implementation according to aspects of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method may include providing a static program control flow view of a plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may further include enabling a user to select the stack pattern using the static program control flow view of the plurality of COBOL paragraphs of the COBOL program. The method may also include setting, by a processing device, the stack pattern breakpoint in source code of the COBOL program using information from a compiler compiling the COBOL program to create a pseudo-stack that can be operated on by a debugger to evaluate stack pattern conditions for the plurality of COBOL paragraphs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Morris Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Publication number: 20170132109
    Abstract: An approach for collection and presentation of runtime data semantics. At least one of code-coverage history, system runtime history and code version information are received. An inspection line of code or variable(s) are received and runtime data semantics is retrieved from at least one of code-coverage history, system runtime history and code version information. The runtime data semantics are filtered based on the inspection line of code and/or variable(s) and are output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Steven Cooper, Tao Guan, Trong Truong
  • Patent number: 9547483
    Abstract: For optimizing executable code, during a first compilation of a source code, a set of signatures is inserted in a first executable code. A signature in the set of signatures includes a combination of executable instructions. During an execution of the first executable in a debugger an instruction to call a counter code is executed from a location of the signature to increment a counter corresponding to the signature. A value of the counter is provided to a compiler to correspond with the location of the signature in the first executable code. The source code is recompiled into a second executable code, optimizing a portion of the second executable code responsive to the value exceeding a threshold. The portion is related to the location of the signature in the first executable code.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Steven Cooper, Allan H. Kielstra, Trong Truong
  • Publication number: 20160203072
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, machines, systems, methods and computer program products for controlling two or more remote sessions are provided. Two or more remote sessions are synchronized to control each session using a common interface. One or more executable commands are sent to each remote session at substantially the same time using the common interface to control operation of that remote session. Data generated by each remote session from executing the commands is received and analyzed to identify one or more differences in data generated by each remote session. The one or more identified differences in the data are displayed on the common interface. An indication may be provided regarding possible root causes of the differences in the data generated by each remote session. Each remote session includes a program debug session. A report comprising the one or more identified differences in the data may be generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, James T. Guan, Roger H. E. Pett, Trong Truong
  • Patent number: 9092565
    Abstract: Visualization of synchronization points in modified program source code includes identifying the synchronization points in a program source code segment. The identification is performed in response to a modification of the program source code segment. The visualization of the synchronization points also includes storing line numbers of the synchronization points and line contents corresponding to text located at stored line numbers in the program source code segment. The visualization of the synchronization points further includes implementing, as part of a debugging session: retrieving the synchronization points and the line contents, displaying the line contents of the synchronization points on a display screen, and providing a user with an option to step through the synchronization points in the program source code while skipping the remaining portions of the program source code segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Roger E. Pett, Kendrick Wong
  • Patent number: 8990781
    Abstract: Visualization of synchronization points in modified program source code includes identifying the synchronization points in a program source code segment. The identification is performed in response to a modification of the program source code segment. The visualization of the synchronization points also includes storing line numbers of the synchronization points and line contents corresponding to text located at stored line numbers in the program source code segment. The visualization of the synchronization points further includes implementing, as part of a debugging session: retrieving the synchronization points and the line contents, displaying the line contents of the synchronization points on a display screen, and providing a user with an option to step through the synchronization points in the program source code while skipping the remaining portions of the program source code segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Roger E. Pett, Kendrick Wong
  • Publication number: 20130326497
    Abstract: Visualization of synchronization points in modified program source code includes identifying the synchronization points in a program source code segment. The identification is performed in response to a modification of the program source code segment. The visualization of the synchronization points also includes storing line numbers of the synchronization points and line contents corresponding to text located at stored line numbers in the program source code segment. The visualization of the synchronization points further includes implementing, as part of a debugging session: retrieving the synchronization points and the line contents, displaying the line contents of the synchronization points on a display screen, and providing a user with an option to step through the synchronization points in the program source code while skipping the remaining portions of the program source code segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Roger E. Pett, Kendrick Wong
  • Publication number: 20130055217
    Abstract: A method for breakpoint synchronization in program source code includes in response to creation of a breakpoint in the program source code, storing by a computer, in a breakpoint store, a line number of the breakpoint and line contents corresponding to text located at the stored line number in the program source code; in the event the program source code is modified, synchronizing the breakpoint with the modified program source code, wherein synchronizing the breakpoint with the modified program source code comprises: searching the modified program source code for the stored line contents; identifying an updated line number for the breakpoint; inserting the breakpoint at the updated line number in the modified program source code; and updating the breakpoint store with the updated line number.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alan S. Boxall, Steve Cooper