| Publication Title: |
Efficient Specification-Assisted Error Localization and Correction |
| Publication Author: |
Demsky, Brian |
| Additional Authors: |
Cristian Cadar, Daniel Roy, Martin Rinard |
| LCS Document Number: |
MIT-LCS-TR-927 |
| Publication Date: |
11-13-2003 |
| LCS Group: |
Computer Architecture |
| Additional URL: |
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| Abstract: |
| We present a new error localization tool, Archie, that accepts a
specification of key data structure consistency constraints, then generates
an algorithm that checks if the data structures satisfy the
constraints. We also present a set of specification analyses and optimizations
that (for our benchmark software system) improve the
performance of the generated checking algorithm by over a factor
of 3,900 as compared with the initial interpreted implementation,
enabling Archie to efficiently support interactive debugging.
We evaluate Archie’s effectiveness by observing the actions of
two developer populations (one using Archie, the other using standard
error localization techniques) as they attempted to localize and
correct three errors in a benchmark software system. With Archie,
the developers were able to localize each error in less than 10 minutes
and correct each error in (usually much) less than 20 minutes.
Without Archie, the developers were, with one exception, unable
to locate each error after more than an hour of effort. These results
illustrate Archie’s potential to substantially improve current error
localization and correction techniques. |
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