Methods and systems for graphically navigating within a debugger program

1 . A method for graphically navigating within a debugger program that enables examination of processing by components of a computing system, comprising method operations of:

generating a display of the components that enables navigation to debugging windows of the components, the components being represented by graphical icons that may be selectable; and

if a first selection of a first component is detected, generating a first debugging window for the first selected component, the first debugging window being configured to display a first state of processes being handled by the first component during execution of code for a program.

2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

if a second selection of a second component is detected, regenerating the first debugging window to display a second state of processes being handled by the second component during execution of the code for the program.

3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

if a second selection of a second component is detected, generating a second debugging window to display a second state of processes being handled by the second component during execution of the code for the program.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the components are organized in a taxonomy to enable relationships between the components to be displayed, the taxonomy organizing components with parent-child relationships vertically and organizing components with peer relationships horizontally.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein certain ones of the components are interconnected by lines to enable relationships between the components to be displayed.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the components are defined by one or more of a system, a processor array, a central processing unit (CPU), a vector unit, a memory, an internal register, a process, a thread, a program, a vertex shader, a program source, a graphics engine, a controller, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a variable, and data.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the selection of the component is defined by one or more of a mouse input, a keyboard input, a trackball input, a voice input, and a touch sensitive display input.

8 . A graphical user interface (GUI) for navigating within a debugger program that enables examination of processing by components of a computing system, comprising:

regions representing the components that provide navigation and access to debugging windows of the components, the regions being organized taxonomically according to a categorization of the components and being defined by graphical icons.

9 . The GUI of claim 8 , wherein taxonomy organizes components with parent-child relationships vertically and organizes components with peer relationships horizontally.

10 . The GUI of claim 8 , wherein certain ones of the regions are interconnected by lines.

11 . The GUI of claim 8 , wherein the graphical icons are names of the components in text.

12 . The GUI of claim 8 , wherein the graphical icons are defined by one or more of a graphical shape, an alphanumeric character, and a symbol.

13 . A graphical user interface (GUI) for navigating within a debugger program that enables examination of processing by components of a computing system, comprising:

a first region defining a first debugging window of a selected component, the first region displaying one or more of a textual information and a graphical information associated with execution handling by the selected component;

a second region providing access to second debugging windows of components with parent-child relationships, the second region enabling navigation and selection of one or more of the second debugging windows; and

a third region providing access to third debugging windows of components with peer relationships, the third region enabling navigation and selection of one or more of the third debugging windows.

14 . The GUI of claim 13 , wherein the second region is aligned vertically with respect to the first region.

15 . The GUI of claim 13 , wherein the second region for accessing parent components of the selected component is located at a top portion of the first region.

16 . The GUI of claim 13 , wherein the second region for accessing child components of the selected component is located at a bottom portion of the first region.

17 . The GUI of claim 13 , wherein the third region is aligned horizontally with respect to the first region.

18 . The GUI of claim 13 , wherein the third region is located to one of a left portion and a right portion of the first region.

19 . The GUI of claim 13 , wherein each of the second and third regions is defined by one or more of an arrow, a tab, and a partial view of one of the second and third debugging windows.

20 . A computer readable medium having program instructions for graphically navigating within a debugger program that enables examination of processing by components of a computing system, comprising:

program instructions for displaying graphical icons of the components in a taxonomic organization, certain ones of the graphical icons of the components being configured to be selectable;

program instructions for detecting selection of a first graphical icon of a first component;

program instructions for generating a debugging window of the selected first graphical icon of the first component; and

program instructions for displaying the debugging window for the first component, the debugging window being configured to display a first state of processes handled by the first component during execution of a code for a program.

21 . The computer readable medium of claim 20 , further comprising:

program instructions for detecting selection of a second graphical icon of a second component; and

program instructions for regenerating the display of the debugging window to display a second state of processes handled by the second component during execution of the code for the program.

22 . The computer readable medium of claim 20 , wherein the taxonomic organization organizes components with parent-child relationships vertically and organizes components with peer relationships horizontally.

23 . A system for graphically navigating within a debugger program, comprising:

means for displaying graphical icons of components in a taxonomic organization, certain ones of the graphical icons of the components being configured to be selectable;

means for detecting selection of a graphical icon of a component;

means for generating a debugging window of the selected graphical icon of the component; and

means for displaying the debugging window for the component, the debugging window being configured to display a state of processes handled by the component during execution of a code for a program.

24 . The system of claim 23 , wherein the graphical icons are defined by one or more of a textual name, an arrow, a tab, and a partial view of other debugging windows.