Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Intrinsa Corporation

David Jon Sielaff

Jonathan D Pincus

William Russell Softky

William R Bush

Richard E Wilbur

Debby Majors-Degnan

According to one embodiment, a method of automatically assigning a ranking value to a plurality of received messages is disclosed. Each of the received messages provides information about a computer program. The method includes receiving a first message, storing the first message in the database and initializing the first message. Further, it is determined whether the first message is to be disqualified. If it is determined that the first message is to be disqualified, the first message is disqualified. If it is determined that the first message is not to be disqualified, a ranking value is automatically assigning to the first message based upon a predetermined set of criteria.

Method of ranking messages generated in a computer system

A computer program error detection system that detects errors in a computer program by simulating execution of program statements. An internal format structure is retrieved along with a list of all functions defined by the computer program. The internal format structure is analyzed to determine all function calls and the function call ordering. External behavior models corresponding to the discovered function calls are retrieved and stored in a model table. One or more control flow paths are traversed through the computer program. For each path traversed, a structural memory model is maintained to represent the effect of the simulated execution of statements along the control flow path. A statement is simulated by executing a built in model of the operation. A function call is emulated by executing an external behavior model corresponding to the called function. Execution of an external behavior model causes the structural model memory to be updated to reflect execution of the called function. Information describing the manipulation of the memory model is logged for automodelling purposes. Invalid conditions in the structural memory model are detected and reported. The information logged for automodelling purposes is scanned after analysis of each path to build an outcome for that path. After individual path analysis completes, the different outcomes are processed, duplicates are removed, and an external behavior model representing the computer program under analysis is generated.

Simulated program execution error detection method and apparatus

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Oakland, CA, United States of America

David Jon Sielaff