Implementation of a tracer for debugging concurrent processes of a multiagent system

✍ Scribed by Tadachika Ozono; Toramatsu Shintani

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 757 KB
• Volume: 34
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0882-1666
• DOI: 10.1002/scj.1220

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

This paper deals with the implementation of a tracer in a development environment for multiagent systems, where debugging is a major problem. A multiagent system consists of concurrent processes, so that debugging such a system involves difficulties related to the debugging of concurrent processes. We describe a tracer for debugging a multiagent system. A tracer is a program that traces program execution and obtains information on its status. Debugging by a tracer causes a problem called the probe effect, in which the debugger's interference with the program causes changes in its behavior. The probe effect is a major problem in debugging parallel processes. The tracer that we propose can limit the probe effect arising from delay in execution of an agent caused by the tracer. This tracer adjusts the execution speed of non‐debugged agents in accordance with the execution delay of the debugged agent in order to limit the probe effect. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 34(12): 103–111, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1220