a tracing method operates at a low level of detail during normal program execution and automatically provides an increased level of detail during exception situations . the tracing method also discloses history information prior to the exception situation . program activity trace data is used to control action of the configurable trace facility allowing history data of a program &# 39 ; s activity to be combined with current trace data into a persistent log . the trace facility may also be configured to recognize specified trigger values from either hardware or software means .