Exception analysis for data storage devices

A method executed by a Data Storage Device (DSD), the method comprising:

• executing a plurality of code portions to execute a task, each of the code portions identified by a respective unique identifier, the task being of a particular task type, wherein the task type is one of a host-initiated task type for tasks initiated by a host that is separate from the DSD or a DSD-initiated task type for tasks initiated by the DSD, wherein the DSD-initiated task type indicates a maintenance operation initiated by the DSD and the host-initiated task type indicates a command initiated by the host, and wherein the host is configured to issue commands to the DSD to store data in the DSD and to retrieve data from the DSD, the DSD comprising a data structure storing the unique identifier of the code portion that created the task;
• updating the data structure to include a new unique identifier to the data structure after each code portion executes for the task, wherein the data structure indicates the order in which the code portions were executed by the DSD and is used for exception analysis of the code;
• retaining the data structure in a memory of the DSD for a first period of time responsive to a determination that the task type of the task is a DSD-initiated task type;
• retaining the data structure in the memory for a second period of time greater than the first period of time responsive to a determination that the task type of the task is a host-initiated task type;
• updating a firmware of the DSD based on a sequence of code execution identified from using the retained data structure for the task to improve performance of the DSD in executing host commands;
• and
• executing the updated firmware.

A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer-executable instructions, wherein when the computer-executable instructions are executed by a controller of a Data Storage Device (DSD), the computer-executable instructions cause the controller to:

• store a list in a memory of the DSD, the list having a first entry storing a unique identifier of a portion of firmware that created a task, the task being of a particular task type, wherein the task type indicates one of a maintenance operation initiated by the DSD, a write command initiated by a host that is separate from the DSD, or a read command initiated by the host, and wherein the DSD comprises firmware having a plurality of portions each identified by a unique identifier;
• execute firmware portions to execute the task;
• update the memory to include a new entry to the list after each firmware portion is executed by the controller for the task, wherein each entry indicates the unique identifier identifying the firmware portion corresponding to the entry, wherein the list indicates the order in which the firmware portions were executed and is used for exception analysis of the firmware of the DSD;
• retain the list in the memory for a duration of time and retain particular state information for the task in the list, wherein an amount of the particular state information for the task stored in the list is proportional to a number of code switches among the firmware portions executed for the task, and wherein the duration of time is based on the task type;
• update the firmware of the DSD based on a sequence of firmware execution identified from using the retained list for the task;
• and
• execute the updated firmware.