LogScope is a software package for analyzing log files. The intended use is for offline post-processing of such logs, after the execution of the system under test. LogScope can, however, in principle, also be used to monitor systems online during their execution. Logs are checked against requirements formulated as monitors expressed in a rule-based specification language. This language has similarities to a state machine language, but is more expressive, for example, in its handling of data parameters. The specification language is user friendly, simple, and yet expressive enough for many practical scenarios.
The LogScope software was initially developed to specifically assist in testing JPL’s Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) flight software, but it is very generic in nature and can be applied to any application that produces some form of logging information (which almost any software does).
This work was done by Klaus Havelund and Margaret H. Smith of Caltech; Howard Barringer of University of Manchester, UK; and Alex Groce of Oregon State University for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
This software is available for commercial licensing. Please contact Daniel Broderick of the California Institute of Technology at
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
LogScope
(reference NPO-48068) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
Don't have an account?
Overview
The document is a Technical Support Package for LogScope, an automated log file analysis tool developed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) under NASA. It serves as a comprehensive guide for users interested in utilizing LogScope for analyzing log files generated by various applications, particularly in aerospace contexts.
The document begins with an introduction to LogScope, highlighting its purpose and the collaborative efforts behind its development. Key contributors include Howard Barringer from the University of Manchester and Klaus Havelund from JPL, among others. The first version of LogScope was developed to support the Mars Science Laboratory flight software, showcasing its relevance in high-stakes environments.
The contents of the document are organized into several sections. It covers the structure and types of log files, specifically focusing on Map Event Logs and Enumeration Event Logs. The document details the requirements for monitoring these logs, outlining specific monitor specifications such as "CommandsMustSucceed," "MaxOneSuccess," "LimitCommanding," and "CommandsTogether." Each requirement is designed to ensure that commands issued in the log files are executed correctly and that the system behaves as expected.
Additionally, the document provides instructions on installing and running LogScope, including troubleshooting common issues related to safety and liveness errors. It emphasizes the importance of monitoring requirements and how they can be implemented through a specification language that allows users to define the behavior of the system based on log events.
The document also includes a grammar notation section, which outlines the syntax used in the log file and specification grammar, aiding users in understanding how to structure their log files for effective analysis.
Finally, the document concludes with a bibliography that references relevant literature on runtime monitoring and log analysis, providing users with additional resources for further exploration.
Overall, this Technical Support Package serves as a vital resource for users of LogScope, offering detailed guidance on its functionalities, installation, and application in monitoring log files, particularly in the context of aerospace technology. It underscores the tool's significance in ensuring reliable software performance and operational safety in complex systems.
