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ltrace VS DTrace

Compare ltrace VS DTrace and see what are their differences

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ltrace logo ltrace

ltrace intercepts and records dynamic library calls which are called by an executed process and the...

DTrace logo DTrace

DTrace is a performance analysis and troubleshooting tool for Solaris, Mac OS X and FreeBSD.
  • ltrace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-08-01
  • DTrace Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-02-04

ltrace features and specs

  • Function Call Tracing
    ltrace can intercept and record calls to dynamically linked library functions that are made by a program. This is useful for debugging and understanding program behavior.
  • Dynamic Library Tracking
    It focuses on tracing the use of library functions, which helps developers identify issues in the external libraries used by their applications.
  • Compatibility
    ltrace works on most Unix-like operating systems and supports a variety of application types, making it versatile for different environments.

Possible disadvantages of ltrace

  • Limited to Dynamic Libraries
    ltrace only traces dynamic library calls; it does not trace system calls or static library functions, limiting its scope in certain debugging scenarios.
  • Performance Overhead
    Running an application under ltrace can introduce performance overhead, which might affect the timing and behavior of the application being analyzed.
  • Complexity in Analysis
    The output of ltrace can be extensive and detailed, making it challenging to analyze and interpret without a good understanding of the program's libraries.

DTrace features and specs

  • Comprehensive Observability
    DTrace provides a comprehensive view of system behavior by observing metrics across various layers, including the operating system, hardware, and applications.
  • Real-time Analysis
    It allows for real-time tracing and diagnosing, which is critical for identifying performance bottlenecks as they occur.
  • Low-Overhead
    DTrace is designed to have minimal impact on system performance, making it suitable for use in production environments.
  • Dynamic Instrumentation
    It can dynamically enable and disable probes in a live system, which allows detailed monitoring without restarting the system or applications.
  • Cross-platform Support
    Originally developed for Solaris, DTrace has been ported to other operating systems like FreeBSD and MacOS, extending its usability.

Possible disadvantages of DTrace

  • Complexity
    DTrace's powerful capabilities can make it complex to learn and use effectively, especially for those unfamiliar with its scripting language.
  • Limited to Supported Platforms
    DTrace is not available on all operating systems, limiting its use to those systems that support it.
  • Security Concerns
    Since DTrace can access many parts of the system, there are potential security implications if not properly managed and secured.
  • Limited GUI Tools
    While DTrace is command-line oriented, it lacks advanced built-in graphical interfaces, which can be a drawback for users who prefer visual data representation.
  • Potential for Misuse
    Improper use of DTrace can lead to system instability or performance problems, particularly if inexperienced users enable extensive probes.

ltrace videos

+ Add

How to Spy on Running Programs (strace, ltrace)

More videos:

  • Review - Sudo ltrace | Ryan's CTF [15] Strings wont help you

DTrace videos

+ Add

Dtrace Review

More videos:

  • Review - Dtrace Review
  • Review - !!Con 2016 - Finding out what's really going on, with DTrace! By Colin Jones

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to ltrace and DTrace)

ltrace

DTrace

OS & Utilities
41 41%
OS & Utilities
59% 59
IDE
39 39%
IDE
61% 61
Monitoring Tools
58 58%
Monitoring Tools
42% 42
Software Development
41 41%
Software Development
59% 59

User comments

Share your experience with using ltrace and DTrace. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, DTrace seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 1 time since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

ltrace mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of ltrace yet. Tracking of ltrace recommendations started around Mar 2021.

DTrace mentions (1)

  • Mactop
    I believe that macOS still ships with DTrace; Xcode Instruments was originally built on top of it. https://dtrace.org (Some people find it easier to write a one-line script that reports the timings that they need; I don't know if it helps you.). - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing ltrace and DTrace, you can also consider the following products

strace - Trace system calls and signals. A diagnostic, debugging and instructional userspace utility.

SoftICE - SoftICE is a debugging software for windows and DOS that analyzes all your programs and repairs them.

perf - Perf is a simple app monitoring solution paired with meaningful alerts.

X64dbg - X64dbg is a debugging software that can debug x64 and x32 applications.

API Monitor - API Monitor is a software that monitors and displays API calls made by applications and services. Its a powerful tool for seeing how Windows and other applications work or tracking down problems that you have in your own applications

OllyDbg - OllyDbg is a 32-bit assembler level analysing debugger.

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