Inline Visualization and Manipulation of Real-Time Hardware Log for Supporting Debugging of Embedded Programs

TL;DR

Inline is a programming tool that integrates real-time hardware logs directly into code, simplifying debugging of embedded systems by providing immediate visualization and manipulation of logs without additional instrumentation.

Contribution

The paper introduces Inline, a novel debugging tool that embeds hardware logs within code, enhancing real-time debugging of embedded programs without hardware modifications.

Findings

Users found Inline improved debugging efficiency.

Inline facilitated quicker identification of hardware issues.

The tool was effective in real-world debugging scenarios.

Abstract

The development of user-friendly embedded prototyping systems like Arduino has made creating interactive devices more accessible. However, debugging these systems is challenging due to the intertwined nature of software and hardware issues. Existing tools often require hardware instrumentation or log visualization through serial monitors. To address this, the authors designed Inline, a programming tool that simplifies debugging by displaying hardware logs directly within the code, providing real-time execution flow tracking and an expression language for log manipulation. A study with twelve users demonstrated the tool's effectiveness in aiding debugging tasks.