Patent ID: 7530056
Filing Date: 2009-05-05
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method for locating where a runtime defect occurs in an updated program, comprising: (a) generating a first control flow graph (CFG) for an original program, the original program being a predecessor version of the updated program and being free of the runtime defect; (b) generating a second CFG for the updated program, the first and second CFGs each comprising a plurality of nodes defining a respective tree structure with caller routines in higher hierarchy levels than callee routines; (c) selecting corresponding first and second paths traversing through nodes at a selected hierarchy level of the first and second CFGs, respectively; (d) tracing the first and second paths, comprising: (e) comparing the register states for the first and second paths, wherein a difference in the register states indicates that the runtime defect has occurred, comprising: (f) selecting corresponding first and second paths traversing through nodes at a next selected hierarchy level of the first and second CFGs, respectively, the next selected hierarchy level being lower than any preceding selected hierarchy levels; and (g) repeating steps (d) through (f) until the difference in the memory register states for the first and second paths occurs.