Towards Unifying Localization and Explanation for Automated Debugging

Today, there exist powerful algorithms for automated debugging. Some of the debugging algorithms focus on fault localization while others try to explain the faulty behavior by providing, e.g., correct traces that are similar to a failure trace. SAT-based debugging locates faults, but does not explain the faulty behavior, e.g., some temporal properties of fault candidates are not fully explored. In this work, we study the resolution of SAT-based debugging with respect to its capability to locate faults and to explain faults. A strategy is presented that increases the diagnostic resolution of SAT-based debugging by combining fault localization and fault explanation in one algorithm. The experimental results confirm the strength of the approach and give directions for further research.