Ada debugging and testing support environments

This paper presents analysis and design considerations for Ada Programming Support Environments (APSEs) to support interactive debugging and testing of embedded, real time software at the Ada source code level. The analysis is based on the “Stoneman” requirements specification for APSEs (1). Important factors in the analysis and design of Ada debugging and testing support systems include the requirement for a source level system, the host machine-target machine configurations, the real time and concurrent nature of target software, and the KAPSE virtual machine interface to the APSE data base. Although this paper is specifically concerned with debugging and testing issues, the methods utilized and the results obtained are of general applicability. The following sections of the paper address general analysis considerations, source level support environments, design considerations for an interactive source level debugger, and KAPSE design considerations.