US6345322B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Intelligently interpreting errors in build output log files
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1998-12-18
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Granted: 2002-02-05
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Expires: 2018-12-18
Abstract
Abstract A method for identifying predefined error conditions in a build output log file to determine if software build is defective. An output log file is generated within a storage device of a data processing system during a build of a software algorithm on the data processing system. A user creates a list file on the data processing system containing predefined valid error conditions. The output log file is searched to identify user-defined strings from the list file. A comparison of the user-defined strings identified during the search is made with predefined valid error conditions to determine when the user-defined strings identified matches the predefined valid conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 Randy Scott Humphrey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:33
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/36; G06F11/3668; G06F11/3672; G06F11/3688; G06F11/362; G06F11/3636; G06F11/366
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for identifying predefined error conditions in a build output log file, the method comprising the steps of: generating an output log file in a storage device of a data processing system during compilation of a software routine on said data processing system; creating a list file on said data processing system of predefined valid error conditions; searching said output log file to identify user-defined strings; and comparing said identified user-defined strings with said predefined valid error conditions to determine when said identified user-defined strings match said predefined valid error conditions, wherein validity of a match between said user-defined strings and said pre-defined valid error conditions is determined based on a pre-specified level of exactness, said level of exactness ranging from a literal match for a selected number of characters to a non-literal match having some equivalence of characters with a number of characters of said user-defined strings.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for identifying predefined error conditions in a build output log file, the method comprising the steps of: generating an output log file in a storage device of a data processing system during compilation of a software routine on said data processing system; creating a list file on said data processing system of predefined valid error conditions; searching said output log file to identify user-defined strings; and comparing said identified user-defined strings with said predefined valid error conditions to determine when said identified user-defined strings match said predefined valid error conditions, wherein validity of a match between said user-defined strings and said pre-defined valid error conditions is determined based on a pre-specified level of exactness, said level of exactness ranging from a literal match for a selected number of characters to a non-literal match having some equivalence of characters with a number of characters of said user-defined strings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said comparing step further includes the steps of: ignoring said identified user-defined string when said identified user-defined string matches a predefined valid error condition; recording said identified user-defined string when said identified user-defined string does not match a predefined valid error condition; and informing a user when said identified user-defined string does not match a predefined valid condition utilizing an output device of the data processing system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein said informing step includes the step of providing a list of any unresolved error conditions remaining at end of said output log file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said user-defined strings in said comparing step correspond to known error conditions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said comparing step further includes the step of scanning ACSII files for user-defined error strings utilizing a user-defined error descriptor file.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said user-defined error descriptor file describes a set of conditions to search for including error strings and describes conditions to ignore.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said searching step further includes the steps of: identifying SYS0002 errors; and ignoring any of said SYS0002 errors which follow a line containing a deletion command.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said valid condition in said creating step is a part of a search description and further wherein said valid condition includes a range, said range being a predefined number of lines above and below said user-defined error condition for a specified text.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said comparing step is invoked on a plurality of output log files wherein said step further includes the step of: overlooking user-defined error strings in a subset of said plurality of output log files; and progressing automatically from one file to the next in said plurality of output log files.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
161 words
A system for identifying predefined error conditions in a build output log file to determine if software build is defective comprising: means for generating an output log file in a storage device of a data processing system during building of a software routine on said data processing system; means for creating a list file on said data processing system of predefined valid error conditions; means for searching said output log file to identify user-defined strings; and means for comparing said user-defined strings identified in said searching step with said predefined valid conditions to determine when said user-defined strings identified matches said predefined valid conditions, wherein validity of a match between said user-defined strings and said pre-defined valid error conditions is determined based on a pre-specified level of exactness, said level of exactness ranging from a literal match for a selected number of characters to a non-literal match having some equivalence of characters with a number of characters of said user-defined strings.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
161 words
A system for identifying predefined error conditions in a build output log file to determine if software build is defective comprising: means for generating an output log file in a storage device of a data processing system during building of a software routine on said data processing system; means for creating a list file on said data processing system of predefined valid error conditions; means for searching said output log file to identify user-defined strings; and means for comparing said user-defined strings identified in said searching step with said predefined valid conditions to determine when said user-defined strings identified matches said predefined valid conditions, wherein validity of a match between said user-defined strings and said pre-defined valid error conditions is determined based on a pre-specified level of exactness, said level of exactness ranging from a literal match for a selected number of characters to a non-literal match having some equivalence of characters with a number of characters of said user-defined strings.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said comparing means further includes: means for ignoring said identified user-defined string when said identified user-defined string matches a predefined valid error condition; means for recording said identified user-defined string when said identified user-defined string does not match a predefined valid error condition; and means for informing a user when said identified user-defined string does not match a predefined valid condition utilizing an output device of the data processing system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 11 , wherein said informing means includes means for providing a list of any unresolved error conditions remaining at end of said output log file.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said user-defined strings in said comparing means correspond to known error conditions.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said comparing means further includes means for scanning ACSII files for user-defined error strings utilizing a user-defined error descriptor file.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 14 , wherein said user-defined error descriptor file describes a set of conditions to search for including error strings and describes conditions to ignore.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said searching means further includes: means for identifying SYS0002 errors; and means for ignoring any of said SYS0002 errors which follow a line containing a deletion command.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said valid condition in said creating means is a part of a search description and further wherein said valid condition includes a range, said range being a predefined number of lines above and below said user-defined error condition for a specified text.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
The system of claim 10 , wherein said comparing means is invoked on a plurality of output log files wherein said means further includes: means for overlooking user-defined error strings in a subset of said plurality of output log files; and means for progressing automatically from one file to the next in said plurality of output log files.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer program product for identifying predefined error conditions in a build output log file to determine if software build is defective, said program product comprising: a computer readable medium; and program instructions on said computer readable medium for: generating an output log file in a storage device of a data processing system during building of a software routine on said data processing system; creating a list file on said data processing system of predefined valid error conditions; searching said output log file to identify user-defined strings; and comparing said user-defined strings identified in said searching step with said predefined valid conditions to determine when said user-defined strings identified matches said predefined valid conditions, wherein validity of a match between said user-defined strings and said pre-defined valid error conditions is determined based on a pre-specified level of exactness, said level of exactness ranging from a literal match for a selected number of characters to a non-literal match having some equivalence of characters with a number of characters of said user-defined strings.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
171 words
A computer program product for identifying predefined error conditions in a build output log file to determine if software build is defective, said program product comprising: a computer readable medium; and program instructions on said computer readable medium for: generating an output log file in a storage device of a data processing system during building of a software routine on said data processing system; creating a list file on said data processing system of predefined valid error conditions; searching said output log file to identify user-defined strings; and comparing said user-defined strings identified in said searching step with said predefined valid conditions to determine when said user-defined strings identified matches said predefined valid conditions, wherein validity of a match between said user-defined strings and said pre-defined valid error conditions is determined based on a pre-specified level of exactness, said level of exactness ranging from a literal match for a selected number of characters to a non-literal match having some equivalence of characters with a number of characters of said user-defined strings.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
78 words
The computer program product of claim 19 , said program instructions for said comparing further includes program instructions for: ignoring said identified user-defined string when said identified user-defined string matches a predefined valid error condition; recording said identified user-defined string when said identified user-defined string does not match a predefined valid error condition; and informing a user when said identified user-defined string does not match a predefined valid condition utilizing an output device of the data processing system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program product of claim 20 , said program instructions for said informing includes program instructions for providing a list of any unresolved error conditions remaining at end of said output log file.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer program product of claim 19 , said user-defined strings in said program instructions for said comparing correspond to known error conditions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program product of claim 19 , said program instructions for said comparing further includes program instructions for scanning ACSII files for user-defined error strings utilizing a user-defined error descriptor file.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer program product of claim 22 , wherein said user-defined error descriptor file describes a set of conditions to search for including error strings and describes conditions to ignore.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer program product of claim 19 , program instructions for said searching further includes program instructions for: identifying SYS0002 errors; and ignoring any of said SYS0002 errors which follow a line containing a deletion command.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer program product of claim 19 , wherein said valid condition in said program instructions for said creating is a part of a search description and further wherein said valid condition includes a range, said range being a predefined number of lines above and below said user-defined error condition for a specified text.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
63 words
The computer program product of claim 19 , said program instructions for said comparing is invoked on a plurality of output log files wherein said comparing program instructions further includes program instructions for: overlooking user-defined error strings in a subset of said plurality of output log files; and progressing automatically from one file to the next in said plurality of output log files.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US6202174B1
Cited
US6138121A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-02-04 | 2005-08-06 | 2006-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-04 | 2009-08-06 | 2010-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-04 | 2013-08-06 | 2014-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |