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.
The Timechart analysis tool outputs graphics in SVG format in this release that can put programs such as Inkscape almost literally under the microscope.
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.
Issue 243/2021
Buy this issue as a PDF
News
-
Another New Linux Laptop has Arrived
Slimbook has released a monster of a Linux gaming laptop.
-
Mozilla VPN Now Available for Linux
The promised subscription-based VPN service from Mozilla is now available for the Linux platform.
-
Wayland and New App Menu Coming to KDE
The 2021 roadmap for the KDE desktop environment includes some exciting features and improvements.
-
Deepin 20.1 has Arrived
Debian-based Deepin 20.1 has been released with some interesting new features.
-
CloudLinux Commits Over 1 Million Dollars to CentOS Replacement
An open source, drop-in replacement for CentOS is on its way.
-
Linux Mint 20.1 Beta has Been Released
The first beta of Linux Mint, Ulyssa, is now available for downloading.
-
Manjaro Linux 20.2 has Been Unleashed
The latest iteration of Manjaro Linux has been released with a few interesting new features.
-
Patreon Project Looks to Bring Linux to Apple Silicon
Developer Hector Martin has created a patreon page to fund his work on developing a port of Linux for Apple Silicon Macs.
-
A New Chrome OS-Like Ubuntu Remix is Now Available
Ubuntu Web looks to be your Chrome OS alternative.
-
System76 Refreshes the Galago Pro Laptop
Linux hardware maker has revamped one of their most popular laptops.