The invention relates to a method and apparatus for debugging software running in a target machine. A debugging set-up script is created in a host machine which defines trace point locations, and the variables to be returned to the host machine. The method sends the trace point locations and variables to the target machine where a stub program running in the target machine effects the modification of a software program in the target machine by inserting traps at the trace points. Data is collected using the stub program to ascertain variable values when a trace point is hit and the acquired variable data are stored in the target machine in a target machine buffer memory. The collected data is sent, at the request of the host machine, or at the end of a predetermined time, or when a pass-count is reached or at a time set by the target machine, to the host machine without stopping or interrupting operation of the target system.
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