Method and apparatus for porting source code

An apparatus arranged to correct errors in porting source code for use with a new runtime environment including a tool chain with a compiler for building the source code, the apparatus comprising:

• an input arranged to obtain a source code fragment associated with a build error during source code build in the environment;
• a signature creator arranged to create a signature of the source code fragment
• an error database constructed from a history of previous build errors in the environment and their fixes in the form of one of source code and software configuration modifications
• a comparator arranged to automatically compare the source code signature with entries in the error database and produce a comparison;
• an identifier arranged to use the comparison to find one or more similar previous build errors to the build error and identify one or more of the source code and software configuration modifications as candidate solutions to the build error;
• a loop inputter arranged to allow compilation of the source code with each of the identified source code and software configuration modifications in turn until the source code compiles without reproducing the build error;
• and
• a database updater arranged to store the build error in the error database, and the modification with which the source code compiles without reproducing the build error as a fix.

A method of porting source code for use in a runtime environment including a tool chain with a compiler for building the source code, the method comprising:

• obtaining an error message and a source code fragment associated with a build error during source code build in the runtime environment;
• classifying the error message producing an error message classification;
• automatically comparing the error message classification with entries in an error database constructed from a history of previous build errors in the runtime environment and fixes in a form of source code and tool chain modifications to produce a comparison;
• using the comparison to find one or more similar previous build errors to the build error and identify one or more of the source code and tool chain modifications as candidate solutions to the build error;
• compiling the source code with each of candidate source code and tool chain modifications in turn until the source code compiles without reproducing the build error;
• and
• storing the build error in the error database and storing the modification with which the source code compiles without reproducing the build error as a fix.