Source code self-debugging using simulated annealing

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods that utilize a simulated annealing technique to guide a self-debugging of source code. The disclosed implementations balance between finding immediate fixes for errors and exploring more radical changes that could lead to increases in errors in the short term and finally an error-free final code in the long term. The disclosed implementations improve and enable self-debugging of code by the SDS by allowing the early exploration that might introduce new errors so that deeper problems in the code can be uncovered and resolved. As the SA temperature is decreased, for example with each iteration or each error resolution, the probability of accepting worsening changes decreases. As a result, the self-debugging process becomes more focused and less likely to introduce new errors as it converges on an error-free solution.