Fast database state dumps to file for deferred analysis of a database

摘要

In one embodiment, the method of debugging a software program comprises preserving a memory state of a portion of the software program, such as a database system. The memory state is preserved when a failure event is detected in the software program. The preserved memory state portion of the software program is extracted and stored in a storage medium for deferred analysis. Normal database operations are resumed as soon as the memory state is preserved. The deferred analysis is performed by starting a new database instance corresponding to the preserved memory state portion and using the new database instance to extract information for high-level debugging of the software program. Thus, where downtime of a software program must be kept to a minimum, the present invention provides techniques for performing quick diagnostics of the software program.