Timechart: Zoom in on Operating System
Intel developer Arjan van de Ven is working on a new tool named Timechart that records Linux system performance in detailed graphics.
Van de Ven, who also worked on the energy-saving tool Powertop, wants to enhance tools such as Oprofile, LatencyTOP and Perf with Timechart. The new program provides graphical results, reminiscent of Bootchart, in fact going beyond the boot process analysis tool used as its model by tying in all the other processes on the system.
Timechart renders graphics using the SVG vector format and the developer recommends using Inkscape to view the output, which in van de Ven's terms makes them "infinitely zoomable." Easily identifiable graphically are, for example, operating sytem details such as the waiting process for the scheduler -- a contribution the Intel developer can make to the current discussion about schedulers on the kernel mailing list.
Timechart also diagnoses the results of power management settings. The program supports multiprocessor machines. Further details are in van de Ven's blog entry, where he interprets some of the graphical results. The source code is currently posted as patches on the linux-kernel mailing list. A downloadable and installable version is not yet available because of changes still to be made to the kernel infrastructure to make Timechart work.
Timechart developer van de Ven still has some misgivings about the program's name and is thus looking for suggestions in his blog.
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
AlmaLinux OS Kitten 10 Gives Power Users a Sneak Preview
If you're looking to kick the tires of AlmaLinux's upstream version, the developers have a purrfect solution.
-
Gnome 47.1 Released with a Few Fixes
The latest release of the Gnome desktop is all about fixing a few nagging issues and not about bringing new features into the mix.
-
System76 Unveils an Ampere-Powered Thelio Desktop
If you're looking for a new desktop system for developing autonomous driving and software-defined vehicle solutions. System76 has you covered.
-
VirtualBox 7.1.4 Includes Initial Support for Linux kernel 6.12
The latest version of VirtualBox has arrived and it not only adds initial support for kernel 6.12 but another feature that will make using the virtual machine tool much easier.
-
New Slimbook EVO with Raw AMD Ryzen Power
If you're looking for serious power in a 14" ultrabook that is powered by Linux, Slimbook has just the thing for you.
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.