8131results about How to "Easy to debug" patented technology

The present invention provides a breakpoint logic unit, debug logic and breakpoint method for a data processing apparatus. The breakpoint logic unit comprises a value storage operable to store data indicative of a selected value for an operational characteristic of the data processing apparatus, and comparator logic operable to compare the selected value with a value of the operational characteristic as generated by the data processing apparatus. The comparator logic then generates at least one result signal indicative of a match between that value and the selected value. A control storage is also provided for storing a match control value, such that if the match control value has a first value the comparator logic is operable to set the at least one result signal if a match is detected between the value and the selected value, whilst if the match control value has a second value the comparator logic is operable to set the at least one result signal if a match is not detected between the value and the selected value. Breakpoint generation logic is then operable to enable generation of an associated at least one breakpoint signal if the at least one result signal is set. This has been found to provide a particularly flexible and efficient technique for enabling a variety of breakpoint conditions to be programmed within the breakpoint logic unit.