Patent Publication Number: US-10310927-B2

Title: Operating a trace procedure for a computer program

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates in general to data processing systems, and in particular, to a method, system and computer program product for operating a trace procedure, which traces execution of a computer program in a trace buffer. 
     Tracing is used in computer programs to log the program execution flow. This is important if failures have to be analyzed in a “post mortem” scenario. Tracing can also be used in a production environment for problem determination. In the production environment, a problem may occur with the code (e.g. code paths, code path sequences that were abnormal or unexpected), the input data (e.g. values that are incorrect, out of range or unexpected) or the general computing environment (lack of memory, central processing unit (CPU) cycles, Direct Access Storage Device (DASD), or network throughput). 
     When storage space matters (no HD, memory only systems, ring buffer, etc.), a question arises as to how many trace statements should be included. Many traces result in a large amount of data, whereas less traces result in less information available for analysis. 
     Trace data can be limited in a variety of ways. The user may limit the number of trace points and/or the amount of state data saved at each trace point to reduce the total volume of collected data. Alternatively or additionally, a trace buffer may hold a limited volume of most recently gathered trace data, older data being overwritten as new trace data is accumulated. This is normally the case when a ring buffer is used for storing trace information, which is one way of gathering trace information. 
     SUMMARY 
     The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages are provided through the provision of a method which includes: operating a trace procedure, the trace procedure tracing execution of a computer program and a trace buffer, the computer program using different callable modules, wherein a program stack is used to store trace buffer information and an error state, and wherein the modules include calls of the trace procedure. The operating includes: (i) when entering execution of a module, storing the current write position of the trace buffer and storing a cleared error flag in the current frame of the stack; (ii) in case of an error condition during execution of the computer program, setting the error flag in the current frame of the stack; and (iii) when leaving execution of a module: determining if the error flag is set, and if it is not set, then rewinding the trace buffer to the write position stored in the current frame of the stack; and deleting the current write position of the trace buffer and the error flag from the stack. 
     Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention together with the above-mentioned and other objects and advantages may best be understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments, but not restricted to the embodiments, wherein: 
         FIG. 1 a    depicts program code for calling a first module ABC, which is calling a second module XYZ according to an embodiment of the invention in an initial state; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a current snapshot of a program stack and a trace buffer according to an embodiment of the invention, after calling the first module ABC; 
         FIG. 2 a    depicts the program code of  FIG. 1 a    in a next state after calling the second module XYZ; 
         FIG. 2 b    is a further snapshot of the program stack and the trace buffer of  FIG. 1 b    after calling the second module XYZ; 
         FIG. 3 a    is the program code of  FIG. 1 a    in a successive state after returning from module XYZ; 
         FIG. 3 b    is a further snapshot of the program stack and the trace buffer of  FIG. 1 b    in a next step after returning from module XYZ; 
         FIG. 4 a    depicts the program code of  FIG. 1 a    in a successive state after returning from module ABC without an error; 
         FIG. 4 b    is a further snapshot of the program stack and the trace buffer of  FIG. 1 b    after returning from module ABC without an error; 
         FIG. 5 a    is a program code for calling a first module ABC, which is calling a second module XYZ according to an embodiment of the invention in an initial state; 
         FIG. 5 b    is a current snapshot of a program stack and a trace buffer according to an embodiment of the invention, after calling the first module ABC; 
         FIG. 6 a    depicts the program code of  FIG. 5 a    in a next state after calling the second module XYZ; 
         FIG. 6 b    is a further snapshot of the program stack and the trace buffer of  FIG. 5 b    after calling the second module XYZ; 
         FIG. 7 a    depicts the program code of  FIG. 5 a    in a successive state after occurrence of an error while executing module XYZ; 
         FIG. 7 b    is a further snapshot of the program stack and the trace buffer of  FIG. 5 b    in a next step after occurrence of an error while executing module XYZ; 
         FIG. 8 a    depicts the program code of  FIG. 5 a    in a successive state after returning from the erroneous module XYZ; 
         FIG. 8 b    is a further snapshot of the program stack and the trace buffer of  FIG. 5 b    after returning from the erroneous module XYZ; 
         FIG. 9 a    depicts the program code of  FIG. 5 a    in a successive state after returning with an error from module ABC; 
         FIG. 9 b    is a further snapshot of the program stack and the trace buffer of  FIG. 5 b    after returning with an error from module ABC; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an exemplary process of a method for operating a trace buffer using a program stack according to an embodiment of the invention; and 
         FIG. 11  depicts an example embodiment of a data processing system for executing a method according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the drawings, like elements are referred to with equal reference numerals. The drawings are merely schematic representations, not intended to portray specific parameters of the invention. Moreover, the drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. 
     The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method, system, and computer program product for operating a trace procedure, which traces execution of a computer program in a trace buffer. The illustrative embodiments are sometimes described herein using particular technologies only as an example for the clarity of the description. The illustrative embodiments may be used for operating a trace procedure, which traces execution of a computer program in a trace buffer, the computer program using different callable modules, wherein a program stack is used to store trace buffer information, and wherein the modules comprise calls of the trace procedure. 
     According to an embodiment of the invention a stack based tracing is implemented to log an execution flow of a computer program. The current write position in the trace buffer and the error flag are managed by an object on the stack in the local scope or context, similar to local variables. A trace buffer is used like a stack, i.e. information is stored on last in first out basis. Such a trace buffer is used such that the information written as a last item on the buffer is deleted as a first information. The trace buffer thus is able to grow and shrink, just according to the trace information written to the buffer. If no errors occur during module execution the trace information is deleted from the buffer and only if errors occurred this trace information is kept for further use, such as for analyzing reasons for the error occurring. 
     Stack based tracing is used, where the current write position in the trace buffer and the error flag are managed on a stack similar to local variables. A program stack is a common tool used in data processing systems, where data are stored on a last in first out basis. 
     Trace statements are included into the program code and the information is print out during the program flow. When the execution of the computer program leaves a local scope and no error occurred, the local executed trace statements are deleted or replaced by a summary trace. Advantages of the inventive method are that successful program execution is logged with less amount of data. On the other hand the execution path of a failure is traced with a high amount of detailed data. 
     In  FIGS. 1 a  to 4 b    a sequence of writing tracing information to a program stack according to the inventive method is depicted in detail for a case of no errors occurring during program execution. In particular, in  FIGS. 1 a  to 4 a    a program code for calling a first module ABC, which is calling a second module XYZ according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted in successive states of program execution. The current program state is indicated with a program pointer  18 . The current state of a program stack  10  and a trace buffer  12  is depicted in  FIGS. 1 b  to 4 b    according to the successive states of program execution. 
       FIG. 1 b    depicts a current snapshot of a program stack  10  and a trace buffer  12  according to an embodiment of the invention, after calling the first program module ABC, as depicted in the program code in  FIG. 1 a   . The callable module may be a procedure or a function of the computer program and may comprise entering a new context scope in the stack  10 . 
     The inventive method for operating a trace procedure, which traces execution of a computer program in a trace buffer  12 , where the computer program is using different callable modules, uses a program stack  10  to store trace buffer information. The modules may comprise calls of the trace procedure. When execution of a module is entered, the current write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  is stored on the stack  10  and an error flag  14  on the stack  10  is created and cleared (set to false). In case of an error condition during execution of the computer program, the error flag  14  is set on the stack  10 . In the figures, the error flag is renamed to  14   a  and  14   b  to illustrate that there are separate error flags in each stack frame and to be able to reference specific error flags. When execution of a module is left, it is first determined if the error flag  14  is set, and if it is not set, then the trace buffer  12  is rewound to the write position  16  stored on the stack  10 . Then the current write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  and the error flag  14  are deleted from the stack  10 . 
     In case of an object oriented computer program code, the method comprises, when entering execution of a module, storing the current write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  into a trace management object, which is a convenient way of combining data and related methods on these data. When leaving execution of the module, it is determined if the error flag  14  is set, and if it is not set, then the trace buffer  12  is rewound to the write position  16  stored in the trace management object. Next the trace management object is removed from the stack  10 . The trace management object is able to record states. It is also possible to communicate with the trace management object and as the object contains methods it is able to perform actions in case of an error occurring during module execution as well as in case there is no error occurring. 
     In case of a procedural computer program code, the method comprises contrarily, when entering execution of the module, storing the current write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  on the stack  10 . Then an error flag  14  is created on the stack  10  and the error flag  14  is cleared. Further, when leaving execution of a module, it is determined if the error flag  14  is set, and if it is not set, then the write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  stored on the stack  10  is restored. Finally the stack  10  is rolled back automatically, such that the trace buffer write position  16  and the error flag  14  are removed from the stack. 
     Trace output of the computer program may be managed by an object on the stack  10 . Thus trace output is not static serial, but may be dynamically growing and shrinking dependent on the stack state and content. Advantageously the object can be communicated with and the object further contains methods to be able to perform actions in case of an error occurring during module execution as well as in case there is no error occurring. 
     For object oriented program code, which is the case in  FIG. 1 , a trace management object (trcMngtObject_1) is used containing the write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  and the error flag  14  which is cleared when the object is created. This is a convenient way of storing data, such as the write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  combined with the method of clearing the error flag  14 . 
     In  FIG. 1 a   , a function ABC is executed by a computer program, represented by an address pointer 1 on the stack  10 , which is shown together with the trace buffer  12  in  FIG. 1 b   . The pointer 1 is always representing the return address in the calling module, in the embodiment shown module ABC. Function ABC uses a trace management object (trcMngtObject_1) to store the current write position  16  of the trace buffer  12 . Variables V1 and V2 are used by the function ABC and stored on top of the stack  10 . Calling function ABC produces a number of detail information (traces) during execution, written into the trace buffer  12 . The current program state is indicated with the program pointer  18 . The error flag  14   a  is cleared as shown in  FIG. 1   b.    
     Next, in  FIG. 2 b   , a further snapshot of the program stack  10  and the trace buffer  12  of  FIG. 1 b    is depicted after calling the second module, namely a function XYZ called by the function ABC, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 2 a   . A second trace management object (trcMngtObject_2) is used to store the current write position  17 . Variables VA and VB are used by the function XYZ and stored on top of the stack  10 , which means the stack  10  is growing according to the information written to the stack  10 . Calling function XYZ produces a number of detail information (traces) during execution, written into the trace buffer  12 . Error flag  14   b  is cleared by the second trace management object. The pointer 2 is representing the return address in the calling module, in the embodiment shown module ABC. 
     Function XYZ terminates successful, which is shown in  FIG. 3 b    by a further snapshot of the program stack  10  and trace buffer  12  of  FIGS. 1 a    &amp;  1   b  in a next step after returning from module XYZ, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 3 a   . The stack  10  is cleared from the variables and objects of calling function XYZ, thus shrinking the stack  10  after terminating function XYZ. For object oriented program code, when leaving execution of a module, the trace management object is automatically deleted and the trace buffer write position is rewound. In the trace buffer  12  only the information that function XYZ was executed successful is kept. Error flag  14   a  is still cleared as no error occurred during execution of the module XYZ. 
     Next, in  FIG. 4 b    a further snapshot of the program stack  10  and the trace buffer  12  of  FIG. 1  after returning from module ABC without an error is shown, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 4 a   . Function ABC terminated also successful without an error. So the stack  10  is cleared from all variables and objects of function ABC and only the information that function ABC was executed successful is kept in the trace buffer  12 . 
     In  FIGS. 5 b  to 9 b    a sequence of writing tracing meta information to a program stack according to the inventive method is depicted in detail for a case with errors occurring during program execution. The corresponding program code is shown in  FIGS. 5 a    to  9   a.    
       FIG. 5 b    depicts a current snapshot of the program stack  10  and the trace buffer  12  according to an embodiment of the invention, after calling a first module ABC by a computer program, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 5 a   . As in  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b   , function ABC is executed by the computer program. The pointer 1 is representing the return address in the calling module, in the embodiment shown module ABC. Function ABC uses the trace management object (trcMngtObject_1) to store the current write position  16  of the trace buffer  12 . Variables V1 and V2 are used by the function ABC and stored on top of the stack  10 . Calling function ABC produces a number of detailed information (traces) during execution, written into the trace buffer  12 . The current program state is indicated with the program pointer  18 . The error flag  14   a  is cleared as shown in  FIG. 5   b.    
     In  FIG. 6 b    a further snapshot of the program stack  10  and the trace buffer  12  of  FIG. 5 b    is shown after calling a second module XYZ by the function ABC, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 6 a   . The second trace management object (trcMngtObject_2) is used to store the current write position  17 . Variables VA and VB are used by the function XYZ and stored on top of the stack  10 , the stack  10  thus growing again according to the information written to the stack  10 . Calling function XYZ produces a number of detail information (traces) during execution, written into the trace buffer  12 . Error flag  14   b  is cleared by the second trace management object. The pointer 2 is representing the return address in the calling module, in the embodiment shown module ABC. 
     In this case, executing function XYZ results in an error occurring during execution, reported by the error flag  14   b  on the trace buffer  12 , which is depicted in  FIG. 7 b    by a further snapshot of the program stack  10  and the trace buffer  12  of  FIG. 5 b    in a next step after occurrence of the error while executing module XYZ, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 7 a   . The trace management object (trcMngtObject_2) not only stores the current write position  17 , but also the error flag  14   b.    
     Next, in  FIG. 8 b    a further snapshot of the program stack  10  and the trace buffer  12  of  FIG. 5 b    is depicted after returning from the erroneous module XYZ, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 8 a   . The variables and objects resulting from execution of function XYZ are cleared from the stack  10 , but in this case the information from calling and executing function XYZ is kept in the trace buffer  12 . An error is returned as a result of the execution of XYZ and is used by module ABC to decide if the error flag  14   a  in the current frame of the stack should be set. This information may further be used for analyzing reasons for occurrence of the error during execution of the function XYZ. 
     In  FIG. 9 b    a further snapshot of the program stack  10  and the trace buffer  12  of  FIG. 5 b    is depicted after returning with the error from module ABC, as depicted by the program code in  FIG. 9 a   . The stack  10  is cleared from variables and objects of function ABC, but information stored during execution and after returning of functions ABC and XYZ are kept in the trace buffer  12  for further error analysis. Thus, when leaving execution of module ABC and the error flag  14   a  is set, the write position  16  of the trace buffer  12  remains unchanged. 
     In  FIG. 10 , a flowchart of an exemplary process of the inventive method for operating a trace buffer  12  using a program stack  10  according to an embodiment of the invention is depicted. The method comprises after start of the program execution in step S 200 , entering a new context scope, which may be calling a module, function or procedure in step S 202 . For object oriented design a trace management object is created on the stack and the trace buffer write position (address pointer) is stored into this trace management object. For procedural design the trace buffer write position is stored on the stack and an error flag is created on the stack and cleared. 
     Then, a trace buffer write position is stored and an error flag on the stack cleared in step S 204 . The program code is executed and trace statements written on the trace buffer in step S 206 . If an error occurred in step S 208 , an error flag is set on the stack for procedural design and in the trace management object, respectively, for the object oriented design, in step S 212  before leaving the context in step S 210 . For object oriented design a trace management object is used containing the trace buffer write position and the error flag is cleared. Next, in step S 214 , the error flag is evaluated in the stack or in the trace management object, respectively, before the current context scope is left, performing corresponding actions dependent on this error flag. In the error status there is no change in the trace buffer write position. In the case of successfully terminating the current context scope the trace buffer write position stored on the stack or in the trace management object is restored. 
     Leaving the current context scope then means the stack is rewound automatically removing the trace buffer write position and error flag from the stack. For object oriented design the trace management object is deleted automatically from the stack. 
     To summarize, a method is proposed herein for operating a trace procedure, which traces execution of a computer program in a trace buffer, the computer program using different callable modules. A program stack is used to store trace buffer information and an error flag, and the modules comprise calls of the trace procedure. The method comprises: (i) when entering execution of a module, storing the current write position of the trace buffer and storing a cleared error flag in the current frame of the stack; (ii) in case of an error condition during execution of the computer program, setting the error flag in the current frame of the stack; and (iii) when leaving execution of a module—determining if the error flag is set, and if it is not set, then rewinding the trace buffer to the write position stored in the current frame of the stack; and—deleting the current write position of the trace buffer and the error flag from the stack. 
     Stack based tracing is used, where all trace statements in the program code are managed on a stack and managed in the local scope similar to local variables. A program stack is a very common tool used in data processing systems, where data are stored on a last in first out basis. Trace statements are included into the program code and the information of details currently executed in the program code is print out during the program flow. The output could be written into a memory buffer. A marker to the current write position is stored in the current stack frame, each time a new local scope or context is entered. When the scope is left, and no error occurred, the write position could be set to the last stored marker on the stack (rewound). In this manner the last executed trace statements could be deleted or replaced by a summary trace. This means the tracing output is growing and decreasing like a stack for local variables. 
     Further a favorable computer program product is proposed for operating a trace procedure, which traces execution of a computer program in a trace buffer, the computer program using different callable modules. A program stack is used to store trace buffer information and an error flag, and the modules comprise calls of the trace procedure. The method comprises: (i) when entering execution of a module, storing the current write position of the trace buffer and storing a cleared error flag in the current frame of the stack; (ii) in case of an error condition during execution of the computer program, setting the error flag in the current frame of the stack; and (iii) when leaving execution of a module—determining if the error flag is set, and if it is not set, then rewinding the trace buffer to the write position stored in the current frame of the stack; and—deleting the current write position of the trace buffer and the error flag from the stack. 
     Further, a data processing system for execution of a data processing program is proposed, comprising computer readable program instructions for performing a method described above. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a schematic of an example of a data processing system  210  is shown. Data processing system  210  is only one example of a suitable data processing system and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality of embodiments of the invention described herein. Regardless, data processing system  210  is capable of being implemented and/or performing any of the functionality set forth herein above. 
     In data processing system  210  there is a computer system/server  212 , which is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with computer system/server  212  include, but are not limited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems, mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     Computer system/server  212  may be described in the general context of computer system executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer system. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, logic, data structures, and so on that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer system/server  212  may be practiced in distributed cloud computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network. In a distributed cloud computing environment, program modules may be located in both local and remote computer system storage media including memory storage devices. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , computer system/server  212  in data processing system  210  is shown in the form of a general-purpose computing device. The components of computer system/server  212  may include, but are not limited to, one or more processors or processing units  216 , a system memory  228 , and a bus  218  that couples various system components including system memory  228  to processor  216 . 
     Bus  218  represents one or more of any of several types of bus structures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and not limitation, such architectures include Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, Micro Channel Architecture (MCA) bus, Enhanced ISA (EISA) bus, Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) local bus, and Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus. 
     Computer system/server  212  typically includes a variety of computer system readable media. Such media may be any available media that is accessible by computer system/server  212 , and it includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. 
     System memory  228  can include computer system readable media in the form of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM)  230  and/or cache memory  232 . Computer system/server  212  may further include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. By way of example only, storage system  234  can be provided for reading from and writing to a non-removable, non-volatile magnetic media (not shown and typically called a “hard drive”). Although not shown, a magnetic disk drive for reading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk (e.g., a “floppy disk”), and an optical disk drive for reading from or writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM or other optical media can be provided. In such instances, each can be connected to bus  218  by one or more data media interfaces. As will be further depicted and described below, memory  228  may include at least one program product having a set (e.g., at least one) of program modules that are configured to carry out the functions of embodiments of the invention. 
     Program/utility  240 , having a set (at least one) of program modules  242 , may be stored in memory  228  by way of example, and not limitation, as well as an operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data. Each of the operating system, one or more application programs, other program modules, and program data or some combination thereof, may include an implementation of a networking environment. Program modules  242  generally carry out the functions and/or methodologies of embodiments of the invention as described herein. 
     Computer system/server  212  may also communicate with one or more external devices  214  such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a display  224 , etc.; one or more devices that enable a user to interact with computer system/server  212 ; and/or any devices (e.g., network card, modem, etc.) that enable computer system/server  212  to communicate with one or more other computing devices. Such communication can occur via Input/Output (I/O) interfaces  222 . Still yet, computer system/server  212  can communicate with one or more networks such as a local area network (LAN), a general wide area network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet) via network adapter  220 . As depicted, network adapter  220  communicates with the other components of computer system/server  212  via bus  218 . It should be understood that although not shown, other hardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with computer system/server  212 . Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode, device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays, RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc. 
     The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computer program product. The computer program product may include a computer readable storage medium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereon for causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention. 
     The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that can retain and store instructions for use by an instruction execution device. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but is not limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device, an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, a semiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of the computer readable storage medium includes the following: a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD), a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such as punch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructions recorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. A computer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulses passing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmitted through a wire. 
     Computer readable program instructions described herein can be downloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computer readable storage medium or to an external computer or external storage device via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprise copper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wireless transmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/or edge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in each computing/processing device receives computer readable program instructions from the network and forwards the computer readable program instructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium within the respective computing/processing device. 
     Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations of the present invention may be assembler instructions, instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions, machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions, state-setting data, or either source code or object code written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Smalltalk, C++ or the like, and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program instructions may execute entirely on the user&#39;s computer, partly on the user&#39;s computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user&#39;s computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user&#39;s computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including, for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute the computer readable program instructions by utilizing state information of the computer readable program instructions to personalize the electronic circuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention. 
     Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer readable program instructions. 
     These computer readable program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can direct a computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the computer readable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises an article of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects of the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computer implemented process, such that the instructions which execute on the computer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. 
     The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. 
     The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.