One or more processors acquire dependency metadata, where the dependency metadata is used for representing dependency on data among at least two components of an application. The processor(s) acquire error information and data output, where the error information is used for describing errors that occur while running the application, and where the data output includes data output by the at least two components while running the application. The processor(s) analyze, based on the error information, dependency metadata and data output relevant to the error information, where the analyzing includes determining, based on a null pointer exception in the error information and data output of a component corresponding to the null pointer exception, that there is an error in dependency metadata corresponding to the null pointer exception. The processor(s) then provide an analysis result to improve the operation of a computer that is running the application.