Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Arunvijay Kumar

John David Dunagan

Chad E Verbowski

Juhan Lee

Roussi A Roussev

Shan Lu

Brad Daniels

Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below a predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Thread interception and analysis

Apparatus and methods for intercepting and analyzing threads are disclosed. In one embodiment, a thread data recorder is configured to instrument one or more existing functions by modifying computer executable instructions in the functions to intercept threads calling the functions. In one possible implementation, the number of existing functions instrumented can be reduced by instrumenting choke point functions. The instrumented functions can also capture data associated with the threads as the threads execute at the function. This data can be saved to memory and compressed into logs. In one aspect, the data can be saved and/or compressed at a time when processor resources are being used at or below predetermined level. The captured data can be used to analyze a functioning of a computer system in which the threads were produced.

Disclosed is a method for automating testing tasks which would otherwise have to be done manually using actual hardware by providing the capability to dynamically create many types of storage devices with different storage media, thus eliminating the need to have test machines with the actual hardware. In one embodiment a virtual storage device driver can be implemented that can be used to simulate various storage devices such as CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, removable disk drives and fixed disk drives. Manual testing tasks such as testing autoplay functionality when a CD is inserted, testing CD burning, and testing CD audio playback can then be automated.

Automating the testing of software or hardware components by dynamically creating virtual storage devices on a simulated system bus in a physical computer system

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Arunvijay Kumar