Software Diagnostics Library

After introducing software narrative planes it is logical to expand the field of software narratology to cover the whole domain of software construction and post-construction. We therefore combine both pairs of planes to create a narratological square:

Please also register for the forthcoming free Webinar: Introduction to Software Narratology where I plan to provide a coherent overview of the recent developments in this new field.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Memory Dump Analysis Services organizes a new training course:

Description: Learn how to analyze app crashes and freezes, navigate through process core memory dump space and diagnose corruption, memory leaks, CPU spikes, blocked threads, deadlocks, wait chains, and much more. We use a unique and innovative pattern-driven analysis approach to speed up the learning curve. The training consists of practical step-by-step exercises using Xcode and GDB environments highlighting various patterns diagnosed in 64-bit process core memory dumps. The training also includes an overview of relevant similarities and differences between Windows and Mac OS X user space memory dump analysis useful for engineers with Wintel background.

If you are registered you are allowed to optionally submit your app core dumps before the training. This will allow us in addition to the carefully constructed problems tailor additional examples to the needs of the attendees.

The training consists of 2 two-hour sessions. When you finish the training you additionally get:

1. A full transcript in PDF format (retail price $200)
2. 6 volumes of Memory Dump Analysis Anthology in PDF format (retail price $120)
3. A personalized attendance certificate with unique CID (PDF format)
4. Mac OS X Debugging: Practical Foundations in PDF format (retail price $15)
5. Free Dump Analysis World Network membership including updates to full PDF transcript Q&A section

Prerequisites: Basic Mac OS X troubleshooting and debugging

Audience: Software technical support and escalation engineers, system administrators, software developers and quality assurance engineers.

Session 1: October 19, 2012 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM BST
Session 2: October 22, 2012 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM BST

Price: 210 USD

Space is limited.
Reserve your remote training seat now at:
https://student.gototraining.com/r/3803636572165653760

If you are mainly interested in Windows memory dump analysis there is another course available:

Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Memory Dump Analysis Services (DumpAnalysis.com) organizes a free Webinar about software narratology: an application of ideas from narratology to software narrative stories.

Learn about this exciting new discipline and a field of research. When software executes it gives us its stories in the form of UI events, software traces and logs. Such stories can be analyzed for their structure and patterns for troubleshooting, debugging and problem resolution purposes.

Prerequisites: basic software troubleshooting and ability to read software generated logs.

Audience: anyone can benefit from this new perspective: from software users to software engineers and managers.

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/603136294

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Forthcoming Accelerated Software Trace Analysis training requires extensive real life like software logs with multiple software behaviour patterns. The similar accelerated memory dump analysis trainings (unmanaged / native Windows and .NET) also required good memory dumps but this problem was solved by modeling patterns of abnormal software behaviour in an appropriate implementation language such as C++ and C#. Modeling software traces with hundreds of software components, processes and threads would require enormous programming efforts. Therefore, the natural approach is to describe a desired software trace in some declarative language (or minimally imperative) and get a million line software log that models a specific combination of trace analysis patterns. So, welcome to such a language called Narralog: Software Narrative Log  or Narrative Logic. Please note that this language is different from Riemann programming language which is a language to describe software problems and generate software problem solving tools. Language details and whether a kind of a Metadefect Template Library will be used to implement Narralog or simple macroprogramming is suffice will be decided and announced when we further develop our training.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

This is another tracing example of unified debugging patterns introduced previously.

- Analysis Patterns

Focus of Tracing

- Architectural Patterns

Debug Event Subscription / Notification

- Design Patterns

Shared Debug Event State

- Implementation Patterns

Shared Variable

- Usage Patterns

Saving a memory address obtained at a breakpoint event in a debugger pseudo-register for use at later breakpoint events

Debugging.tv published a case study for tracing window messages in WinDbg. There a pseudo-register is used to save a buffer address before GetMessage call and then to reuse it after the call. Please look at Event State Management slide on Frames episode 0×06 presentation. The full WinDbg log and the recording are available there too.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

During the previous several months some companies and individuals expressed their interest in the training (the next one is scheduled for January) but its time was not suitable due to different geographic time zones. So I have decided to publish this training in a book format (currently in PDF) and make it available in paperback on Amazon and B&N later. Book details:

• Title: Accelerated .NET Memory Dump Analysis: Training Course Transcript and WinDbg Practice Exercises with Notes
• Description: The full transcript of Memory Dump Analysis Services Training with 7 step-by-step exercises, notes, source code of specially created modeling applications and selected Q&A. Covers 20 .NET memory dump analysis patterns plus additional unmanaged patterns.
• Authors: Dmitry Vostokov, Memory Dump Analysis Services
• Publisher: OpenTask (November 2011)
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 28.0 x 21.6
• Paperback: 204 pages
• ISBN-13: 978-1908043320

Table of Contents

Now available for sale in PDF format from Memory Dump Analysis Services.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

One of the new initiatives for 2012 is the development of SPDL (Software Problem Description Language). Its purpose is automatic generation of a software troubleshooting tool(s) based on the description of a problem. Here software problem means a post-construction problem as outlined in Introduction to Pattern-Driven Software Problem Solving. The tool construction will utilize an expanded set of DebugWare and Workaround patterns together with the refind version of RADII software development process. This will also provide necessary effectiveness, efficiency and enhanced problem solving capabilities to existing TaaS (Tools as a Service) implementations that are limited in the number of tools they offer.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

The slides are available from Memory Dump Analysis Services:

http://www.dumpanalysis.com/Training/Accelerated-NET-Memory-Dump-Analysis-Public.pdf

It also offers the new training sessions in January, 2012:

http://www.dumpanalysis.com/accelerated-net-memory-dump-analysis

http://www.dumpanalysis.com/accelerated-windows-memory-dump-analysis

Also the registration for Advanced training session in December is still open:

http://www.dumpanalysis.com/advanced-windows-memory-dump-analysis

There are also new coming courses for 2012 so stay tuned!

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

The new 6th volume contains revised, edited, cross-referenced, and thematically organized selected DumpAnalysis.org blog posts about memory dump and software trace analysis, software troubleshooting and debugging written in November 2010 - October 2011 for software engineers developing and maintaining products on Windows platforms, quality assurance engineers testing software on Windows platforms, technical support and escalation engineers dealing with complex software issues, and security researchers, malware analysts and reverse engineers. The sixth volume features:

• 56 new crash dump analysis patterns including 14 new .NET memory dump analysis patterns
• 4 new pattern interaction case studies
• 11 new trace analysis patterns
• New Debugware pattern
• Introduction to UI problem analysis patterns
• Introduction to intelligence analysis patterns
• Introduction to unified debugging pattern language
• Introduction to generative debugging, metadefect template library and DNA of software behaviour
• The new school of debugging and trends
• .NET memory dump analysis checklist
• Software trace analysis checklist
• Introduction to close and deconstructive readings of a software trace
• Memory dump analysis compass
• Computical and Stack Trace Art
• The abductive reasoning of Philip Marlowe
• Orbifold memory space and cloud computing
• Memory worldview
• Interpretation of cyberspace
• Relationship of memory dumps to religion
• Fully cross-referenced with Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, Volume 4, and Volume 5

Product information:

• Title: Memory Dump Analysis Anthology, Volume 6
• Author: Dmitry Vostokov
• Language: English
• Product Dimensions: 22.86 x 15.24

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (December 2011)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-908043-19-1

• Hardcover: 300 pages
• Publisher: Opentask (January 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1-908043-20-7

Back cover features 3d memory space visualization image created with ParaView.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Memoretics promotes pattern-driven memory dump and software trace analysis which has many uses but not limited to:

• Software and site reliability
• Software Debugging
• QA and Software Testing
• Computer Security
• Software Troubleshooting
• Malware Research and Analysis
• Tools as a Service (TaaS)
• Supportability
• Software Diagnostics

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Memoretics as a science of memory snapshots borrows many ideas from the following disciplines (the list is not exhaustive):

• Troubleshooting and Debugging
• Intelligence Analysis
• Critical Thinking
• Forensics
• Linguistics
• Archaeology
• Psychoanalysis
• History
• Mathematics: Sets and Categories
• Literary Criticism and Narratology

It also contributes many ideas back. The following diagram depicts such an interaction:

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Due to the need to extend existing basic and intermediate Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis training Memory Dump Analysis Services organises advanced training course. Here is the description and registration information:

Learn how to navigate through memory dump space and Windows data structures to troubleshoot and debug complex software incidents. We use a unique and innovative pattern-driven analysis approach to speed up the learning curve. The training consists of practical step-by-step exercises using WinDbg to diagnose structural and behavioral patterns in 32-bit and 64-bit process, kernel and complete memory dumps.

If you are registered you are allowed to optionally submit your memory dumps before the training. This will allow us in addition to the carefully constructed problems tailor extra examples to the needs of the attendees.

The training consists of one four-hour session and additional homework exercises. When you finish the training you additionally get:

1. A full transcript in PDF format (retail price $200)
2. 5 volumes of Memory Dump Analysis Anthology in PDF format (retail price $100)
3. A personalized attendance certificate with unique CID (PDF format)

Prerequisites: Basic and intermediate level Windows memory dump analysis: ability to list processors, processes, threads, modules, apply symbols, walk through stack traces and raw stack data, diagnose patterns such as heap corruption, CPU spike, memory and handle leaks, access violation, stack overflow, critical section and resource wait chains and deadlocks. If you don’t feel comfortable with prerequisites then Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis training is recommended to take (or purchase a corresponding book) before attending this course.

Audience: Software developers, software technical support and escalation engineers.

Session: December 9, 2011 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM GMT

Price: 210 USD

Space is limited.
Reserve your remote training seat now at:
https://student.gototraining.com/24s4l/register/3788047691824598784

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Due to popular demand and the need to extend existing Accelerated Windows Memory Dump Analysis training Memory Dump Analysis Services organises the new training course. Here is the description and registration information:

Learn how to analyze .NET application and service crashes and freezes, navigate through memory dump space (managed and unmanaged code) and diagnose corruption, leaks, CPU spikes, blocked threads, deadlocks, wait chains, resource contention, and much more. We use a unique and innovative pattern-driven analysis approach to speed up the learning curve. The training consists of practical step-by-step exercises using WinDbg to diagnose patterns in 32-bit and 64-bit process memory dumps.

If you are registered you are allowed to optionally submit your memory dumps before the training. This will allow us in addition to the carefully constructed problems tailor extra examples to the needs of the attendees.

The training consists of one four-hour session and additional homework exercises. When you finish the training you additionally get:

1. A full transcript in PDF format (retail price $200)
2. 5 volumes of Memory Dump Analysis Anthology in PDF format (retail price $100)
3. A personalized attendance certificate with unique CID (PDF format)

Prerequisites: Basic .NET programming and debugging.

Audience: Software developers, software technical support and escalation engineers.

Session: October 28, 2011 4:00 PM - 8:00 PM GMT

Price: 210 USD

Space is limited.
Reserve your remote training seat now at:
https://student.gototraining.com/24s4l/register/423991811034037760

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

I showed this artwork to many people and they responded that they didn’t understand or hope one day they would understand. Only one guy (a professional manager) responded positively with understanding. What I think is that real art can be interpreted in many ways. So I kindly await your criticism.

PS. This Computicart (Computical Art) work was inspired by a pet parrot at home. I’ve been observing its behaviour for more than 6 months and tried to discern a few patterns. Its name is KiKi (not related to Ki* functions).

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Imagine a pattern-driven crash analysis report (car) when you need it: at the very moment of a crash, just in time! And the car drives you to a problem resolution. Imagine also a periodic pattern-driven just-in-time memory space analysis (JIT MSA) that provides you instant intelligent reports on what’s going on inside memory while your application, service or system is running! This is a forthcoming optional client side part of CARE (Crash Analysis Report Environment) which is being developed by Memory Dump Analysis Services engineering team under the leadership of Alexey Golikov. Combined with generative debugging techniques both client and server parts form a complete unique enterprise crash and hang analysis solution suitable for development and production environments. Stay tuned for further exciting updates.

PS. The car drives on a road to the first fault software problem solving.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

I’m pleased to announce that MDAA, Volume 5 is available in PDF format:

www.dumpanalysis.org/Memory+Dump+Analysis+Anthology+Volume+5

It features:

- 25 new crash dump analysis patterns
- 11 new pattern interaction case studies (including software tracing)
- 16 new trace analysis patterns
- 7 structural memory patterns
- 4 modeling case studies for memory dump analysis patterns
- Discussion of 3 common analysis mistakes
- Malware analysis case study
- Computer independent architecture of crash analysis report service
- Expanded coverage of software narratology
- Metaphysical and theological implications of memory dump worldview
- More pictures of memory space and physicalist art
- Classification of memory visualization tools
- Memory visualization case studies
- Close reading of the stories of Sherlock Holmes: Dr. Watson’s observational patterns
- Fully cross-referenced with Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3, and Volume 4

Its table of contents is available here:

www.dumpanalysis.org/MDAA/MDA-Anthology-V5-TOC.pdf

Paperback and hardcover versions should be available in a week or two. I also started working on Volume 6 that should be available in November-December.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

Finally, after the numerous delays, the first Windows Debugging Notebook is almost ready for publication by the end of this month with a new cover and a foreword written by Mario Hewardt, the author of Advanced Windows Debugging and Advanced .NET Debugging books:

It is the first notebook because we have decided to split it into 3 different memory space volumes and one additional overview volume for concepts and tools:

- Windows Debugging Notebook: Essential User Space WinDbg Commands (ISBN: 978-1906717001 and 978-0955832857)
- Windows Debugging Notebook: Essential Kernel Space WinDbg Commands (ISBN: 978-1908043146)
- Windows Debugging Notebook: Essential Managed Space WinDbg .NET Commands (ISBN: 978-1908043153)
- Windows Debugging Notebook: Essential Concepts and Tools (ISBN: 978-1908043160)

On a bookshelf you would be able to distinguish between the first 3 volumes by a 3 color spine stripe with an appropriate check on it: red for kernel, blue for user, and green for managed space.

The Table of Contents has been changed too.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

The presentation materials from the webinar (25th of March, 2011) are available for download:

http://www.dumpanalysis.com/PDSPSI-materials

Thanks to everyone who registered and attended!

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

“… he who has not been in” support “does not know what” debugging “is.”

Attributed to Leo Tolstoy, by Adam Ulam, The Bolsheviks

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -

The first Webinar to start an in-depth discussion of pattern-driven software troubleshooting, debugging and maintenance:

Date: 25th of March 2011
Time: 18:30 (GMT) 14:30 (EST) 11:30 (PST)
Duration: 60 minutes

Space is limited.
Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/448268158

Topics include:

• A Short History of DumpAnalysis.org
• Memory Dump Analysis Patterns
• Troubleshooting and Debugging Tools (Debugware) Patterns
• Software Trace Analysis Patterns
• From Software Defects to Software Behavior
• Workaround Patterns
• Structural Memory Patterns
• Memory Analysis Domain Pattern Hierarchy
• New Directions

Prerequisites: experience in software troubleshooting and/or debugging.

- Dmitry Vostokov @ DumpAnalysis.org + TraceAnalysis.org -