Method for debugging shared procedures contained in dynamic link library files

A computer-implemented apparatus for debugging target procedures contained in an object library, comprising:

• a computer having a memory, the computer storing a software application, target library, and trace library;
• means, performed by the computer, for selectvely linking both the trace library and the target library to the software application in the memory of the computer, wherein the target library contains a target procedure and the trace library contains a trace procedure with the same name as the target procedure;
• means, performed by the computer, for re-directing a call by the software application from the target procedure to the trace procedure, so that the trace procedure preempts the target procedure;
• and
• means, performed by the computer, for performing a call to an alternative entry point within the target procedure from within the trace procedure, in order to monitor calls to the target procedure without disrupting the functionality of the target procedure.

A program storage device, readable by a computer having a memory, tangibly embodying one or more programs of instructions executable by the computer to perform the steps of:

• selectively linking both a trace library and a target library to a softrware application in a memory of the computer, wherein the target library contains a target procedure and the trace library contains a trace procedure with the same name as the target procedure;
• re-directing a call by the software application from the target procedure to the trace procedure, so that the trace procedure preempts the target procedure;
• and
• performing a call to an alternative entry point within the target procedure from the trace procedure, in order to monitor calls to the target procedure without disrupting the functionality of the target procedure.