Commit c50174e7 by Joseph Myers Committed by Joseph Myers

* doc/gcov.texi: Use more logical markup.

From-SVN: r43253
parent 17d6c819
2001-06-12 Joseph S. Myers <jsm28@cam.ac.uk>
* doc/gcov.texi: Use more logical markup.
2001-06-11 Mark Mitchell <mark@codesourcery.com> 2001-06-11 Mark Mitchell <mark@codesourcery.com>
* unroll.c (initial_reg_note_copy): Use PUT_REG_NOTE_KIND and * unroll.c (initial_reg_note_copy): Use PUT_REG_NOTE_KIND and
......
...@@ -27,12 +27,12 @@ English. ...@@ -27,12 +27,12 @@ English.
@end ignore @end ignore
@node Gcov @node Gcov
@chapter @code{gcov}: a Test Coverage Program @chapter @command{gcov}: a Test Coverage Program
@code{gcov} is a tool you can use in conjunction with @sc{gnu} CC to @command{gcov} is a tool you can use in conjunction with @sc{gnu} CC to
test code coverage in your programs. test code coverage in your programs.
This chapter describes version 1.5 of @code{gcov}. This chapter describes version 1.5 of @command{gcov}.
@menu @menu
* Gcov Intro:: Introduction to gcov. * Gcov Intro:: Introduction to gcov.
...@@ -42,19 +42,19 @@ This chapter describes version 1.5 of @code{gcov}. ...@@ -42,19 +42,19 @@ This chapter describes version 1.5 of @code{gcov}.
@end menu @end menu
@node Gcov Intro @node Gcov Intro
@section Introduction to @code{gcov} @section Introduction to @command{gcov}
@c man begin DESCRIPTION @c man begin DESCRIPTION
@code{gcov} is a test coverage program. Use it in concert with @sc{gnu} @command{gcov} is a test coverage program. Use it in concert with @sc{gnu}
CC to analyze your programs to help create more efficient, faster CC to analyze your programs to help create more efficient, faster
running code. You can use @code{gcov} as a profiling tool to help running code. You can use @command{gcov} as a profiling tool to help
discover where your optimization efforts will best affect your code. You discover where your optimization efforts will best affect your code. You
can also use @code{gcov} along with the other profiling tool, can also use @command{gcov} along with the other profiling tool,
@code{gprof}, to assess which parts of your code use the greatest amount @command{gprof}, to assess which parts of your code use the greatest amount
of computing time. of computing time.
Profiling tools help you analyze your code's performance. Using a Profiling tools help you analyze your code's performance. Using a
profiler such as @code{gcov} or @code{gprof}, you can find out some profiler such as @command{gcov} or @command{gprof}, you can find out some
basic performance statistics, such as: basic performance statistics, such as:
@itemize @bullet @itemize @bullet
...@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ how much computing time each section of code uses ...@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ how much computing time each section of code uses
Once you know these things about how your code works when compiled, you Once you know these things about how your code works when compiled, you
can look at each module to see which modules should be optimized. can look at each module to see which modules should be optimized.
@code{gcov} helps you determine where to work on optimization. @command{gcov} helps you determine where to work on optimization.
Software developers also use coverage testing in concert with Software developers also use coverage testing in concert with
testsuites, to make sure software is actually good enough for a release. testsuites, to make sure software is actually good enough for a release.
...@@ -81,10 +81,10 @@ to be added to the testsuites to create both better testing and a better ...@@ -81,10 +81,10 @@ to be added to the testsuites to create both better testing and a better
final product. final product.
You should compile your code without optimization if you plan to use You should compile your code without optimization if you plan to use
@code{gcov} because the optimization, by combining some lines of code @command{gcov} because the optimization, by combining some lines of code
into one function, may not give you as much information as you need to into one function, may not give you as much information as you need to
look for `hot spots' where the code is using a great deal of computer look for `hot spots' where the code is using a great deal of computer
time. Likewise, because @code{gcov} accumulates statistics by line (at time. Likewise, because @command{gcov} accumulates statistics by line (at
the lowest resolution), it works best with a programming style that the lowest resolution), it works best with a programming style that
places only one statement on each line. If you use complicated macros places only one statement on each line. If you use complicated macros
that expand to loops or to other control structures, the statistics are that expand to loops or to other control structures, the statistics are
...@@ -92,14 +92,14 @@ less helpful---they only report on the line where the macro call ...@@ -92,14 +92,14 @@ less helpful---they only report on the line where the macro call
appears. If your complex macros behave like functions, you can replace appears. If your complex macros behave like functions, you can replace
them with inline functions to solve this problem. them with inline functions to solve this problem.
@code{gcov} creates a logfile called @file{@var{sourcefile}.gcov} which @command{gcov} creates a logfile called @file{@var{sourcefile}.gcov} which
indicates how many times each line of a source file @file{@var{sourcefile}.c} indicates how many times each line of a source file @file{@var{sourcefile}.c}
has executed. You can use these logfiles along with @code{gprof} to aid has executed. You can use these logfiles along with @command{gprof} to aid
in fine-tuning the performance of your programs. @code{gprof} gives in fine-tuning the performance of your programs. @command{gprof} gives
timing information you can use along with the information you get from timing information you can use along with the information you get from
@code{gcov}. @command{gcov}.
@code{gcov} works only on code compiled with @sc{gnu} CC. It is not @command{gcov} works only on code compiled with @sc{gnu} CC. It is not
compatible with any other profiling or test coverage mechanism. compatible with any other profiling or test coverage mechanism.
@c man end @c man end
...@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ gcc(1) and the Info entry for @file{gcc}. ...@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ gcc(1) and the Info entry for @file{gcc}.
@end ignore @end ignore
@c man begin OPTIONS @c man begin OPTIONS
@table @code @table @gcctabopt
@item -b @item -b
Write branch frequencies to the output file, and write branch summary Write branch frequencies to the output file, and write branch summary
info to the standard output. This option allows you to see how often info to the standard output. This option allows you to see how often
...@@ -132,28 +132,28 @@ Write branch frequencies as the number of branches taken, rather than ...@@ -132,28 +132,28 @@ Write branch frequencies as the number of branches taken, rather than
the percentage of branches taken. the percentage of branches taken.
@item -v @item -v
Display the @code{gcov} version number (on the standard error stream). Display the @command{gcov} version number (on the standard error stream).
@item -n @item -n
Do not create the @code{gcov} output file. Do not create the @command{gcov} output file.
@item -l @item -l
Create long file names for included source files. For example, if the Create long file names for included source files. For example, if the
header file @samp{x.h} contains code, and was included in the file header file @file{x.h} contains code, and was included in the file
@samp{a.c}, then running @code{gcov} on the file @samp{a.c} will produce @file{a.c}, then running @command{gcov} on the file @file{a.c} will produce
an output file called @samp{a.c.x.h.gcov} instead of @samp{x.h.gcov}. an output file called @file{a.c.x.h.gcov} instead of @file{x.h.gcov}.
This can be useful if @samp{x.h} is included in multiple source files. This can be useful if @file{x.h} is included in multiple source files.
@item -f @item -f
Output summaries for each function in addition to the file level summary. Output summaries for each function in addition to the file level summary.
@item -o @item -o
The directory where the object files live. Gcov will search for @code{.bb}, The directory where the object files live. Gcov will search for @file{.bb},
@code{.bbg}, and @code{.da} files in this directory. @file{.bbg}, and @file{.da} files in this directory.
@end table @end table
@need 3000 @need 3000
When using @code{gcov}, you must first compile your program with two When using @command{gcov}, you must first compile your program with two
special @sc{gnu} CC options: @samp{-fprofile-arcs -ftest-coverage}. special @sc{gnu} CC options: @samp{-fprofile-arcs -ftest-coverage}.
This tells the compiler to generate additional information needed by This tells the compiler to generate additional information needed by
gcov (basically a flow graph of the program) and also includes gcov (basically a flow graph of the program) and also includes
...@@ -162,13 +162,13 @@ information needed by gcov. These additional files are placed in the ...@@ -162,13 +162,13 @@ information needed by gcov. These additional files are placed in the
directory where the source code is located. directory where the source code is located.
Running the program will cause profile output to be generated. For each Running the program will cause profile output to be generated. For each
source file compiled with -fprofile-arcs, an accompanying @code{.da} source file compiled with @option{-fprofile-arcs}, an accompanying @file{.da}
file will be placed in the source directory. file will be placed in the source directory.
Running @code{gcov} with your program's source file names as arguments Running @command{gcov} with your program's source file names as arguments
will now produce a listing of the code along with frequency of execution will now produce a listing of the code along with frequency of execution
for each line. For example, if your program is called @samp{tmp.c}, this for each line. For example, if your program is called @file{tmp.c}, this
is what you see when you use the basic @code{gcov} facility: is what you see when you use the basic @command{gcov} facility:
@smallexample @smallexample
$ gcc -fprofile-arcs -ftest-coverage tmp.c $ gcc -fprofile-arcs -ftest-coverage tmp.c
...@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ $ gcov tmp.c ...@@ -178,7 +178,7 @@ $ gcov tmp.c
Creating tmp.c.gcov. Creating tmp.c.gcov.
@end smallexample @end smallexample
The file @file{tmp.c.gcov} contains output from @code{gcov}. The file @file{tmp.c.gcov} contains output from @command{gcov}.
Here is a sample: Here is a sample:
@smallexample @smallexample
...@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ Here is a sample: ...@@ -199,7 +199,7 @@ Here is a sample:
@end smallexample @end smallexample
@need 450 @need 450
When you use the @samp{-b} option, your output looks like this: When you use the @option{-b} option, your output looks like this:
@smallexample @smallexample
$ gcov -b tmp.c $ gcov -b tmp.c
...@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ of times the call was executed will be printed. This will usually be ...@@ -257,7 +257,7 @@ of times the call was executed will be printed. This will usually be
and thus may not return every time they are called. and thus may not return every time they are called.
The execution counts are cumulative. If the example program were The execution counts are cumulative. If the example program were
executed again without removing the @code{.da} file, the count for the executed again without removing the @file{.da} file, the count for the
number of times each line in the source was executed would be added to number of times each line in the source was executed would be added to
the results of the previous run(s). This is potentially useful in the results of the previous run(s). This is potentially useful in
several ways. For example, it could be used to accumulate data over a several ways. For example, it could be used to accumulate data over a
...@@ -265,17 +265,17 @@ number of program runs as part of a test verification suite, or to ...@@ -265,17 +265,17 @@ number of program runs as part of a test verification suite, or to
provide more accurate long-term information over a large number of provide more accurate long-term information over a large number of
program runs. program runs.
The data in the @code{.da} files is saved immediately before the program The data in the @file{.da} files is saved immediately before the program
exits. For each source file compiled with -fprofile-arcs, the profiling exits. For each source file compiled with @option{-fprofile-arcs}, the profiling
code first attempts to read in an existing @code{.da} file; if the file code first attempts to read in an existing @file{.da} file; if the file
doesn't match the executable (differing number of basic block counts) it doesn't match the executable (differing number of basic block counts) it
will ignore the contents of the file. It then adds in the new execution will ignore the contents of the file. It then adds in the new execution
counts and finally writes the data to the file. counts and finally writes the data to the file.
@node Gcov and Optimization @node Gcov and Optimization
@section Using @code{gcov} with GCC Optimization @section Using @command{gcov} with GCC Optimization
If you plan to use @code{gcov} to help optimize your code, you must If you plan to use @command{gcov} to help optimize your code, you must
first compile your program with two special @sc{gnu} CC options: first compile your program with two special @sc{gnu} CC options:
@samp{-fprofile-arcs -ftest-coverage}. Aside from that, you can use any @samp{-fprofile-arcs -ftest-coverage}. Aside from that, you can use any
other @sc{gnu} CC options; but if you want to prove that every single line other @sc{gnu} CC options; but if you want to prove that every single line
...@@ -293,9 +293,9 @@ else ...@@ -293,9 +293,9 @@ else
@noindent @noindent
can be compiled into one instruction on some machines. In this case, can be compiled into one instruction on some machines. In this case,
there is no way for @code{gcov} to calculate separate execution counts there is no way for @command{gcov} to calculate separate execution counts
for each line because there isn't separate code for each line. Hence for each line because there isn't separate code for each line. Hence
the @code{gcov} output looks like this if you compiled the program with the @command{gcov} output looks like this if you compiled the program with
optimization: optimization:
@smallexample @smallexample
...@@ -313,21 +313,21 @@ many times the result was 1. ...@@ -313,21 +313,21 @@ many times the result was 1.
@c man end @c man end
@node Gcov Data Files @node Gcov Data Files
@section Brief description of @code{gcov} data files @section Brief description of @command{gcov} data files
@code{gcov} uses three files for doing profiling. The names of these @command{gcov} uses three files for doing profiling. The names of these
files are derived from the original @emph{source} file by substituting files are derived from the original @emph{source} file by substituting
the file suffix with either @code{.bb}, @code{.bbg}, or @code{.da}. All the file suffix with either @file{.bb}, @file{.bbg}, or @file{.da}. All
of these files are placed in the same directory as the source file, and of these files are placed in the same directory as the source file, and
contain data stored in a platform-independent method. contain data stored in a platform-independent method.
The @code{.bb} and @code{.bbg} files are generated when the source file The @file{.bb} and @file{.bbg} files are generated when the source file
is compiled with the @sc{gnu} CC @samp{-ftest-coverage} option. The is compiled with the @sc{gnu} CC @option{-ftest-coverage} option. The
@code{.bb} file contains a list of source files (including headers), @file{.bb} file contains a list of source files (including headers),
functions within those files, and line numbers corresponding to each functions within those files, and line numbers corresponding to each
basic block in the source file. basic block in the source file.
The @code{.bb} file format consists of several lists of 4-byte integers The @file{.bb} file format consists of several lists of 4-byte integers
which correspond to the line numbers of each basic block in the which correspond to the line numbers of each basic block in the
file. Each list is terminated by a line number of 0. A line number of -1 file. Each list is terminated by a line number of 0. A line number of -1
is used to designate that the source file name (padded to a 4-byte is used to designate that the source file name (padded to a 4-byte
...@@ -335,13 +335,13 @@ boundary and followed by another -1) follows. In addition, a line number ...@@ -335,13 +335,13 @@ boundary and followed by another -1) follows. In addition, a line number
of -2 is used to designate that the name of a function (also padded to a of -2 is used to designate that the name of a function (also padded to a
4-byte boundary and followed by a -2) follows. 4-byte boundary and followed by a -2) follows.
The @code{.bbg} file is used to reconstruct the program flow graph for The @file{.bbg} file is used to reconstruct the program flow graph for
the source file. It contains a list of the program flow arcs (possible the source file. It contains a list of the program flow arcs (possible
branches taken from one basic block to another) for each function which, branches taken from one basic block to another) for each function which,
in combination with the @code{.bb} file, enables gcov to reconstruct the in combination with the @file{.bb} file, enables gcov to reconstruct the
program flow. program flow.
In the @code{.bbg} file, the format is: In the @file{.bbg} file, the format is:
@smallexample @smallexample
number of basic blocks for function #0 (4-byte number) number of basic blocks for function #0 (4-byte number)
total number of arcs for function #0 (4-byte number) total number of arcs for function #0 (4-byte number)
...@@ -363,24 +363,24 @@ A -1 (stored as a 4-byte number) is used to separate each function's ...@@ -363,24 +363,24 @@ A -1 (stored as a 4-byte number) is used to separate each function's
list of basic blocks, and to verify that the file has been read list of basic blocks, and to verify that the file has been read
correctly. correctly.
The @code{.da} file is generated when a program containing object files The @file{.da} file is generated when a program containing object files
built with the @sc{gnu} CC @samp{-fprofile-arcs} option is executed. A built with the @sc{gnu} CC @option{-fprofile-arcs} option is executed. A
separate @code{.da} file is created for each source file compiled with separate @file{.da} file is created for each source file compiled with
this option, and the name of the @code{.da} file is stored as an this option, and the name of the @file{.da} file is stored as an
absolute pathname in the resulting object file. This path name is absolute pathname in the resulting object file. This path name is
derived from the source file name by substituting a @code{.da} suffix. derived from the source file name by substituting a @file{.da} suffix.
The format of the @code{.da} file is fairly simple. The first 8-byte The format of the @file{.da} file is fairly simple. The first 8-byte
number is the number of counts in the file, followed by the counts number is the number of counts in the file, followed by the counts
(stored as 8-byte numbers). Each count corresponds to the number of (stored as 8-byte numbers). Each count corresponds to the number of
times each arc in the program is executed. The counts are cumulative; times each arc in the program is executed. The counts are cumulative;
each time the program is executed, it attempts to combine the existing each time the program is executed, it attempts to combine the existing
@code{.da} files with the new counts for this invocation of the @file{.da} files with the new counts for this invocation of the
program. It ignores the contents of any @code{.da} files whose number of program. It ignores the contents of any @file{.da} files whose number of
arcs doesn't correspond to the current program, and merely overwrites arcs doesn't correspond to the current program, and merely overwrites
them instead. them instead.
All three of these files use the functions in @code{gcov-io.h} to store All three of these files use the functions in @file{gcov-io.h} to store
integers; the functions in this header provide a machine-independent integers; the functions in this header provide a machine-independent
mechanism for storing and retrieving data from a stream. mechanism for storing and retrieving data from a stream.
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