Low-Level Debugging
TLDR: Low-level debugging refers to the process of identifying and fixing errors in software at a granular level, typically involving machine code, assembly language, or interactions with hardware. Introduced as a practice alongside early computer systems in the mid-20th century, it is essential for troubleshooting issues that occur below the level of high-level source code. Tools like GDB (GNU Debugger) and specialized hardware debuggers facilitate this process by allowing developers to examine registers, memory locations, and instruction execution.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debugging
In low-level debugging, developers work closely with raw binary instructions or assembly instructions, analyzing system states such as CPU registers, memory addresses, and instruction pointers. Techniques like step-through execution and setting watchpoints are critical in this domain, as they enable fine-grained control over program flow. For example, a developer debugging a CPP program might use a debugger to monitor the stack memory and heap memory to trace down issues like buffer overflows or null pointer dereferences.
https://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/documentation/
Low-level debugging is often used in contexts where direct interaction with hardware is required, such as embedded systems or device drivers. It is also crucial in diagnosing runtime errors in high-performance applications or systems programming. Advanced features in debuggers, like postmortem debugging using core dumps, make it possible to analyze failures after a program crashes. Mastering low-level debugging is essential for developers working in environments where high reliability and performance are critical.
https://docs.oracle.com/en/java/javase/20/troubleshooting/debugging-overview.html