Trace Tables
Trace Tables
Trace tables re used in software development and debugging to track the execution of a program and record the values of variables at each step. They provide a systematic way of understanding the flow and behavior of a program as it executes.
Example Trace Table
| Step | Instruction | Variable X | Variable Y | Variable Z |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read X | 5 | – | – |
| 2 | Read Y | 10 | 3 | – |
| 3 | Z = X + Y | 5 | 10 | 15 |
| 4 | Print Z | – | – | 15 |
In this example, each row represents a step or line of code executed in the program. The columns capture the following information:
- Step: The sequential number of the step or line of code being executed.
- Instruction: The specific instruction or code being executed at that step.
- Variables: The values of variables at that particular step.
To fill in the trace table, you would execute the program step-by-step, recording the values of relevant variables after each step. This allows you to track the changes in variable values as the program progresses.
Trace tables are particularly useful for understanding the flow of program execution, identifying logic errors, and tracing the causes of unexpected behavior or bugs. They provide a visual representation of program state and can help in analyzing the impact of specific lines of code on the values of variables.
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