System and method for enabling efficient processing of a program that includes assertion instructions

A system for enabling selective assertion testing of computer programs based on run time inputs, comprising:

• memory;
• and
• a compiler configured to translate a first program stored in said memory into a second program, said first program having assertion instructions, said compiler configured to translate said assertion instructions into translated assertion instructions and to insert said translated assertion instructions into said second program, said compiler configured to detect a stall location in said second program and to insert one of said translated assertion instructions into said second program at said stall location in response to a detection of said stall location, said compiler further configured to insert mode selection instructions and mode test instructions in said second program,
• wherein said mode selection instructions, when executed by a processing element, cause said processing element to control a value of a mode indicator based on a run time input, and wherein said mode test instructions, when executed by said processing element, cause said processing element, based on said mode indicator, to control whether at least one of said translated assertion instructions is executed by said processing element.

A method for enabling selective assertion testing of computer programs based on run time inputs, comprising the steps of:

• translating a first function of a first computer program into a second function of a second computer program, said first function having assertion instructions, said second function having translated assertion instructions translated from said assertion instructions of said first function;
• detecting stall locations within said second function of said second computer program;
• inserting one of said translated assertion instructions into one of said stall locations in response to a detection of said one stall location in said detecting step;
• inserting a block of said translated assertion instructions into said second function;
• and
• enabling selective execution of said block of translated assertion instructions based on a run time input.