ltrace

Website

ltrace.org

Categories

#Monitoring Tools #IDE #OS & Utilities #Software Development

ftrace

Website

elinux.org

Categories

#IDE #OS & Utilities #Software Development #Monitoring Tools

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.

ftrace features and specs

• Function Tracing
  ftrace provides a robust function tracing capability that allows developers to track function calls within the Linux kernel. This helps in identifying performance bottlenecks and debugging complex issues.
• Dynamic Tracing
  It supports dynamic tracing, which means that trace points can be added or removed at runtime without needing to reboot or recompile the kernel, offering flexibility and reducing downtime.
• Performance Analysis
  ftrace can be used for detailed performance analysis, helping to monitor system performance and resource usage, which is crucial for optimizing system behavior.
• Lightweight
  ftrace is designed to be lightweight, ensuring minimal performance overhead on the system, which is an essential feature for maintaining system stability and performance during tracing.
• Wide Adaptability
  It's widely adaptable across different architectures and is included in the Linux kernel, making it a versatile tool for Linux developers.

Possible disadvantages of ftrace

• Complexity
  Setting up and using ftrace can be complex, especially for beginners, due to its extensive options and configurations which might require a steep learning curve.
• Limited User-space Tracing
  ftrace primarily focuses on kernel space, which means its capabilities for tracing user-space applications are limited compared to some other tools.
• Potential for Large Data Volume
  The tool can generate a large amount of trace data, which can be overwhelming to manage and analyze, requiring efficient data handling and filtering techniques.
• Kernel Version Dependent
  Since ftrace features are closely tied to the kernel version, using the latest functionalities requires updating to the latest kernel, which may not always be feasible in production environments.
• Security Concerns
  Enabling tracing can potentially expose sensitive information or alter the system's behavior, raising security concerns if not properly managed.

How to Spy on Running Programs (strace, ltrace)

More videos:

No ftrace videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Add video