4 ms·

Is there a way to compare two sessions? Basically, do a diff and see where the execution flow differed between two sessions? At high level first, then drilling

by eps 6y ago

Is there a way to compare two sessions? Basically, do a diff and see where the execution flow differed between two sessions? At high level first, then drilling down.

db48x 6y ago
They list that feature as a TODO for the future at https://pernos.co/about/vision/#comparing-executions https://pernos.co/about/vision/#comparing-executions
- eps 6y ago
  If it's done, it will allow cracking software that uses basic protection methods for $10 flat. But for the normal use both the pricing and its off-prem nature renders the whole thing all but useless. A pity really, because the tech looks fantastic.
  - db48x 6y ago
    I agree that comparing different runs of the same program will be amazing. I think that running Pernosco off-premises will be acceptable for many people. I use it a few times per month while working on open-source projects like Reposurgeon and Flex, so I'm not revealing any trade secrets by uploading those recordings. I've learned that the database built by Pernosco from a large recording can be 100GB and take an hour to generate on a 36-core AWS instance. $4 per debugging session is a pretty reasonable price compared to buying that hardware myself. And they are offering an on-premises solution, running on your own hardware. For a tool this good, the price for that is bound to be large enough to give individuals like us reason to think twice, and then probably a third time. Given the potential time savings, I think that it should be easy for even a small company to justify the purchase. On the gripping hand, this is non-Free software. Some will avoid it primarily for that reason, and I can't really fault them for sticking to their principles. I think that it's entirely possible that Pernosco, or debuggers like it, could effectively eliminate traditional debuggers like GDB. GDB would still exist and still work, but without the nearly-omniscient viewpoint that Pernosco offers very few will bother to use it. It's like looking through a keyhole. I've thought about this a lot over the last few months.

by eps 6y ago

Is there a way to compare two sessions? Basically, do a diff and see where the execution flow differed between two sessions? At high level first, then drilling down.

db48x 6y ago

They list that feature as a TODO for the future at https://pernos.co/about/vision/#comparing-executions https://pernos.co/about/vision/#comparing-executions

eps 6y ago
If it's done, it will allow cracking software that uses basic protection methods for $10 flat. But for the normal use both the pricing and its off-prem nature renders the whole thing all but useless. A pity really, because the tech looks fantastic.
- db48x 6y ago
  I agree that comparing different runs of the same program will be amazing. I think that running Pernosco off-premises will be acceptable for many people. I use it a few times per month while working on open-source projects like Reposurgeon and Flex, so I'm not revealing any trade secrets by uploading those recordings. I've learned that the database built by Pernosco from a large recording can be 100GB and take an hour to generate on a 36-core AWS instance. $4 per debugging session is a pretty reasonable price compared to buying that hardware myself. And they are offering an on-premises solution, running on your own hardware. For a tool this good, the price for that is bound to be large enough to give individuals like us reason to think twice, and then probably a third time. Given the potential time savings, I think that it should be easy for even a small company to justify the purchase. On the gripping hand, this is non-Free software. Some will avoid it primarily for that reason, and I can't really fault them for sticking to their principles. I think that it's entirely possible that Pernosco, or debuggers like it, could effectively eliminate traditional debuggers like GDB. GDB would still exist and still work, but without the nearly-omniscient viewpoint that Pernosco offers very few will bother to use it. It's like looking through a keyhole. I've thought about this a lot over the last few months.