Program event activated and configured debugger method, system, article of manufacture, computer program product, and data structure

Abstract

An executing computer program is debugged by the use of an events table comprising a plurality of table entries, each table entry comprising an event description describing an event occurring during execution of the executing computer program; a debugger description specifying a debugger to be invoked to debug the executing computer program upon an occurrence of the event; and debugger options to be passed to the debugger upon invocation of the debugger. Debugging the executing computer program comprises monitoring for the event; detecting the event; gathering event information beyond the event description; searching the event table responsive to the detection of the event; finding the table entry corresponding the event; responsive to the finding of the table entry, invoking the debugger specified by the debugger description in the table entry corresponding the event; passing the debugger options to the debugger; and passing the event information to the debugger. A first table entry may be used to invoke a first debugger responsive to a first event, and a second table entry may be used to invoke a second debugger responsive to a second event.