Abstract: A source container for use in a computer system executing problem determination tools in an integrated environment across a computer network, the source container comprising a list of pathways to a plurality of source files and module objects. A software development may create the source container independently or within the front end of a problem determination tool. The front end of the problem determination tools sends the source container to its engine, and only source files and module objects having a pathway in the source container are analyzed within the engine of the problem determination tool. Furthermore, the results of the analysis of only those source files and module objects having a pathway in the source container are returned to the front end of the problem determination tool for viewing by the software developer.

Abstract: A computer program debugger is disclosed which stores previous programs which have been debugged and the debug parameters which were considered when debugging. When a new computer program is to be debugged, the new debugger is invoked and it automatically compares the executing program to be debugged with the previous programs. When one or more of the debug parameters are so similar that it can be said that the computer program undergoing debugging matches a previously stored computer program, a user is given options to display the matching programs, the modules, the functions, the lines, and the debug parameters and to exchange debug parameters between the programs which can be used to mod4 the either or any of the programs. The user is further given the option to store the current program undergoing debugging as a new program to be considered in matching the next program to be debugged.

Abstract: An improved solution for managing application forms for an application executing on a client. A form tree that includes one or more application forms is managed on a server. The form tree enables the relationship between the various application forms to be maintained on the server. Rendering information is provided to the application for processing. In particular, the application can display each application form to a user. In response to one or more actions by the user, the application provides requests that include the user interface events to the server, which are processed on the server.

Abstract: On demand tracking of applications is provided by a mechanism of the present invention. After a user selects one or more units of execution of interest, a marker is assigned to each target object. Upon invocation of an application, an event is sent to an event handler if at least one target object is executed. The event handler gathers a process identifier and initiates a debugging, tracing or logging of the process on a target system.

Abstract: Method, apparatus and article of manufactured for debugging code. A user selects a function call (e.g., a method of object-oriented code) and a debugger parses the function call and sets breakpoints on the entry points of all instances of the method (assuming more than one). During execution, when one of the breakpoints is hit, the debugger determines whether the corresponding method is being called from the user-specified location in the code.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus within an integrated development environment to increase the efficiency of tracking changes made to source code. The method and apparatus comprise three modes: a constructor mode, a matchmaker mode, and an announcer mode. The constructor first determines what source code/programming constructs are contained within an executable sequence of instructions, evaluates the size of the constructs, and then parses the tokens of the constructs to construct a construct list. The matchmaker determines the degree of similarity between any two constructs in the construct list. If the degree of similarity is sufficient, that is, if the sequence of code between two constructs is so similar that the sections of code may be considered as related and/or derivatives of one another, the matchmaker then determines if any changes made to one section of code may impact the other construct by weighting the changed tokens between the two sets of code.

Abstract: An automated way to detect differences in the values of program variables/expressions and the order of execution between one run and another. A collection mode saves the values of expressions/variables at collection points in the program. On a subsequent execution during the detection mode, these saved values of the same expressions/variables are recalled and compared with the current values. Advantageously, the user selects the collection points within the program at which variable information can be gathered and compared; and these collection points may include: breakpoints set by a debugging program or by the user; collection points set by the user, and entry and/or exit points and/or points within program structures, such as procedure calls, control blocks, etc. Setup of the collection mode includes the capability to modify the expressions/variables, the tolerance or the acceptable alternatives, and the position and number of collection points.

Abstract: A computer program debugger is disclosed which stores previous programs which have been debugged and the debug parameters which were considered when debugging. When a new computer program is to be debugged, the new debugger is invoked and it automatically compares the executing program to be debugged with the previous programs. When one or more of the debug parameters are so similar that it can be said that the computer program undergoing debugging matches a previously stored computer program, a user is given options to display the matching programs, the modules, the functions, the lines, and the debug parameters and to exchange debug parameters between the programs which can be used to modify the either or any of the programs. The user is further given the option to store the current program undergoing debugging as a new program to be considered in matching the next program to be debugged.

Abstract: A method to trace a variable or other expression through a computer program is disclosed. A user determines the variable and the conditions upon which activity of the variable will be monitored. As a result of the invention, every time that variable is referenced in a memory operation or other activity by the program and the conditions set forth by the user are satisfied, the state of that variable is saved as a snapshot without interrupting or stopping execution of the program. The snapshots are accumulated in a history table. The history table can be retrieved and the state of the variable in any given snapshot can be restored. Other variables and expressions can be attached to the trigger variable and the states of these other variables at the time of the activity of the trigger variable may also be saved in the snapshot. The method may be incorporated into a program as a tracing device or a program product separate from the logical processing device executing the program.