Binary image performance evaluation tool

• US 5,465,258 A
• Filed: 03/09/1993
• Issued: 11/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Integrated Systems Incorporated (Aptiv PLC)
• Original Assignee: Integrated Systems Incorporated (Aptiv PLC)
• Inventors: Adams, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kriess, Kevin A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUTLER, DENNIS
• Application Number:
  US08/029,366
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 395/500, 395/575, 395/650, 395/700, 371/15.1, 371/16.2, 371/16.3, 371/19, 364/267, 364/267.2, 364/267.4, 364/285
• US Class Current: 717/128
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3466 Performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3612 by runtime analysis performance monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2201/865 Monitoring of software

Abstract

A system and method for evaluating the performance of a computer program, or software performance evaluation tool. The system comprises an analyzer module for analyzing a binary image of said program and making modifications necessary to measure performance; a kernel for measuring and storing runtime performance information; and a post processor for processing said runtime performance information, correlating it with static information, and displaying resulting information to a user. The analyzer determines boundaries of a plurality of regions and routines within the binary image and inserts breakpoints at the boundaries. The analyzer also examines the binary image of a computer program instruction by instruction in order to instrument and bind the binary image to the kernel module, and uses an abstraction of a target computer in order to instrument the computer program.

Claims

1. A digital data processing system for evaluating the performance of a computer program, said digital system comprising:

(a) a first computer comprising;

(i) means for selecting an architecture description file having definitions of boundaries;

(ii) means for identifying boundaries according to said definitions in said architecture description file, in a binary image of said computer program;

(iii) means for inserting at said identified boundaries tracking code that includes instructions leading to routines in a kernel program, said routines adapted for collection of runtime performance information, so that a modified binary image is created;

(b) a second computer comprising;

(i) means for running said kernel program including means for running said modified binary image;

respond to said tracking code in said modified binary image; and

means for collecting said runtime performance information as specified in said routines.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said kernel program executes in real time, concurrent with execution of said modified binary image.

3. The digital data processing system of claim 1 wherein said second computer is further adapted to combine said performance information.

4. The digital data processing system of claim 1 further comprising a third computer comprising means for displaying said performance information.

5. The digital data processing system of claim 3 further comprising a third computer programmed to display said combined performance information.

6. The digital data system of claim 1 wherein said architecture description file further includes deinitions of program components selected from the group of regions and routines.

7. The digital data system of claim 6 wherein said first computing means further comprising means for inserting said tracking codes at said identified program components.