Year: 2013
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: To fulfill the unique debugging requirements of graphics programming, specialized tools are needed to aid in the \ndebugging process. Modern graphics debuggers allow developers to inspect the current graphics state of a running \napplication, and influence their control flow. However, they do not make maximum use of information about \nprevious graphics states, despite the possible utility of this information in debugging. We propose GLDebug, an \nOpenGL debugger with novel features for using historical information to assist with graphics debugging. GLDebug \nprovides the ability to capture and recall OpenGL state and function call information. Developers can retrace \nthe graphics state history of OpenGL applications and compare different recorded states, which may come from \ndifferent applications. State differences are made clearly visible, so that the source of state-based errors can \nbe tracked down more easily. GLDebug was evaluated in a user study, with promising results: the participants \nfound the tool helped them when working on four different OpenGL debugging tasks. All participants commented \nfavorably on the support for tracking and analyzing state history. The results indicate that historical information is \nuseful for graphics debugging, and that debuggers supporting such information can improve debugging efficacy.
Author: Bryce Van Dyk
Language: English
Subfield: Software
Field: Computer Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2522242277