ID Number: Q73035
1.00 | 1.00
MS-DOS | OS/2
Summary:
The Microsoft Source Profiler version 1.0 may display erratic
execution times on any system with an Intel 80386 or 80486 processor
that has a built-in memory cache. This is noted on page 71 of the
"Microsoft Source Profiler User's Guide" and in the Profiler online
help. The only real workaround is to disable the cache, since there is
no way to control what is cached and what isn't.
More Information:
The erratic profile results are caused by the way a memory cache of
this type operates. If code from the program being profiled is in the
cache, the execution times will be less than normal. On the other
hand, it's likely that the cache will be dominated by the Profiler
itself, since the instructions from the Profiler's own code will
usually be in the cache. This may then result in increased times for
the program being profiled. Caching will also affect small programs
more than large ones due to the successful hit rate in the cache.
Because memory caching hinders accurate profiling, a system without a
cache should be used while profiling to ensure the most reliable
times. In any case, the overall effect of a cached system should be
that it runs faster, so it should not be necessary to consider this
net gain when profiling.