Method for Locating Resource Leaks during Software Development

1 - 20 . (canceled)

21 . A method for identifying a resource allocation in computer program code comprising the following steps:

identifying computer program code that initiates a resource allocation process;

generating a certificate for the identified computer program code;

storing the certificate as a parameter in the computer program code initiating the resource allocation process, and in a table, which further comprises adhering file and line data of the computer program code that initiates the resource allocation process; and

performing a resource allocation call including the certificate.

22 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the resource comprises memory.

23 . The method of claim 22 , wherein a function returns a pointer via a memory handler to newly allocated memory.

24 . The method of claim 23 , wherein a debug heap implementation wraps the function inside a macro.

25 . The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of performing a test procedure in order to establish if memory is leaking in the computer program code.

26 . A method according to claim 25 , wherein the test procedure comprises the steps of indicating a memory leak being present in the computer program code and tracing the memory leak via the stored certificate to the responsible computer program code that initiates the memory allocation process.

27 . The method of claim 22 , wherein the memory allocation call step comprises performing a function call.

28 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the resource comprises file handlers.

29 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the resource comprises ports and sockets.

30 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the computer program code comprises an operating system.

31 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the computer program code comprises an application.

32 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the computer program code comprises an algorithm.

33 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the computer program code comprises a driver.

34 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the certificate is associated with additional information regarding a constraint to a one-time only allocation.

35 . The method of claim 21 , wherein the certificate is associated with additional information regarding a constraint to a set number of allocations.

36 . A data processing system comprising memory and one or more processing circuits configured to:

identify computer program code that initiates a resource allocation process;

generate a certificate for the identified computer program code;

store the certificate as a parameter in the computer program code initiating the resource allocation process, and in a table, along with file and line data of the computer program code that initiates the resource allocation process; and

perform a resource allocation call including the certificate.

37 . The data processing system of claim 36 , wherein the memory comprises a system memory.

38 . The data processing system of claim 37 , wherein the system memory comprises a Read Only Memory and a Read Access Memory including a heap Application Programming Interface.

39 . A computer program product comprising computer program instructions stored in a computer readable medium, wherein the computer program instructions configure a processor to:

identify computer program code that initiates a resource allocation process;

generate a certificate for the identified computer program code;

store the certificate as a parameter in the computer program code initiating the resource allocation process, and in a table, along with file and line data of the computer program code that initiates the resource allocation process; and

perform a resource allocation call including the certificate.