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Breakpoints have now been patented

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the real-coders-just-use-printf-anyway dept.

An anonymous reader noted that apparently Breakpoints have now been patented. From the link "A method for debugging including the steps of receiving code having a software breakpoint function therein, running the code for the purpose of debugging, monitoring the code to detect the presence of the software breakpoint function, recognizing the software breakpoint function, determining an action to be performed based on the software breakpoint function, and implementing the action. The present invention also includes an apparatus for implementing the method for debugging and a medium embodying a program of instructions for execution by a device to perform the method for debugging."

5 of 412 comments (clear)

  1. USPTO Link by MECC · · Score: 4, Informative

    Here.

    Got there from a search at their site...

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    "We are all geniuses when we dream"
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  2. hardware debugger by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

    its a hardware debugger or so it appears, not a software one, they specifically address pitfalls with software debuggers and why they did this method.

    while hardware ones arent totally new, they arent that common either. gdb is immune from this for example since its software only.

    the abstract isnt the patent, the title isnt the patent, the claims are the patent. Readers are encouraged to read the claims and not spread FUD because they can.

  3. Re:I think this is a bit different by escay · · Score: 5, Informative
    From what I understand (read the invention background section in the patent) This is a patent about the implementation of a breakpoint handling mechanism, not the idea of using breakpoints to debug itself. specifically, conventional breakpoint sends a software interrupt that is either caught by (a) the debugger, pausing/halting program execution or (b) the OS, in case no debugger is present, resulting in a system hang or crash. Also the assembly halt code may vary for different processors.

    The patented breakpoint function catches interrupts and handles them in a specific way, irrespective of whether a debugger is running or not, and also issues CPU-indepedent halt codes, marking an improvement over existing techniques.

    Karma whoring, you say? I just have a fascination for patents.
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  4. Re:How Patents Work by karolgajewski · · Score: 4, Informative

    If you look up the application number in the USPTO, you will see that it has indeed matured to patent: US 7,055,140

    The enforcability of this patent, however, is left to the discretion of the patent owner.

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  5. Re:Could someone please patent code comments? by keird · · Score: 5, Informative

    Visual Basic has had this for years. It's called Stop. When running in the IDE execution breaks at the Stop command just as if you had a breakpoint defined. The command does nothing when running outside of the IDE.