Software Dynamics. Optimization of Software Performance

Software — from mobile and cloud applications to video games and autonomous vehicle management systems — is becoming increasingly time-constrained. It must deliver reliable results smoothly, consistently, and almost instantaneously. Failure to guarantee this will lead to consumer dissatisfaction and, in some cases, may even pose a risk to human lives. When complex software performs poorly or crashes, engineers need to identify and fix the root causes. This task is not easy, and there have not been many tools available to solve it. Richard L. Sites, a performance analysis expert, addresses the challenge directly by providing effective methods and professional tools for identifying the dynamics of complex, time-constrained programs, as well as for enhancing reliability and resolving performance issues.

The author has several decades of practical experience and training of professional developers. He introduces readers to principles and techniques that are applicable in any environment, from embedded devices to data centers, and supports them with examples based on Ethernet-connected x86 and ARM systems running Linux. Relying on the information obtained through KUtrace, readers will be able to use concrete solutions rather than simply going through techniques such as disabling cache or cores.