Method of Remote Debugging for OS2/2.2 Type of Software

Method of Remote Debugging for OS2/2.2 Type of Software

      Described is a software implementation, for Personal Computers
(PCs) which utilize OS2/2.2* operating software, to enable debugging
of applications that are running on the same PC under the same
operating system.  An interface level is utilized that translates
between a local debugger and a remote target system.

      The concept described herein provides an OS2/2.2 source level
debugger that debugs applications that are running on the same
machine under the same operating system.  The method does not allow
for system level debugging, but it does provide source level
information concerning the application under test.  With the
interface, called NTERFACE.DLL, there is a solution for providing
source level debugging of system level OS2/2.2 code/data, as well as
start-up data that eludes the scope of software probes.

      Debugging applications and operating system extensions on
OS2/2.2 workstation PC platforms can involve complex operations, such
as the use of probe devices, either hardware or software, embedded in
the operating system under test.  The probe device sends and receives
information about the system under test across a remote wire, often a
Local Area Network (LAN), or a serial communication link, to display
software, such as a terminal running on an OS2/2.2 system.  The
display usually provides only low level information and does not
support source level debugging and high-level debugging options for
low-level OS2/2.2 routine determination was limited.  Typically, the
debugging choices involved kernel debug utilities.

      Generally, probes exist in the industry to allow a user to
monitor activity of OS2/2.2 by means of a wire link to a terminal.
The terminal usually presents data in a simple form, but does not
provide the services of a source level debugger, such as IPMD or
SD386.  For example, one such arrangement involves the kernel
debugger (KDB) for OS2/2.2 which is embedded in an OS2/2.2 system and
is controlled from a remote ANSI terminal connected by way of a
serial communications link.

      The concept described herein provides source level debugging
with low- level information from an OS2/2.2 operating system and
involves four distinct elements: a) an OS2/2.2 debugger, such as IPMD
or SD386; b) NTERFACE.DLL; c) a local area network (LAN) or serial
communication link; and d) a probe that is embedded in the operating
system under test.  Both a) and b) run on OS2/2.2.

      After IPMD or SD386 has been relinked to include NTERFACE.DLL,
it runs unaltered on OS2/2.2.  NTERFACE.DLL intercepts key OS2/2.2
API calls from IPMD or SD386 and deciphers what is requested from
IPMD or SD386.  It emits controlling commands across the link to an
embedded probe, interprets the results, maintains state information,
and bundles up a response to IPMD or SD386.

      The method allows the original debugger to run in its native
OS2/2.2...