Liren Large Software Subsidy 7/07.iso/c/c500/3.ddi/WPROFHLP.WPK/WPROF.HLP

Text File | 1992-05-28 | 33.7 KB | 829 lines

          WATCOM Execution Profiler Help File
          ═══════════════════════════════════

**********************************************************************
* Copyright by WATCOM Systems Inc. 1988, 1990.    All rights reserved. *
* No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by    *
* by any means - graphic, electronic or mechanical, including         *
* photocopying, recording, taping or information storage and         *
* retrieval systems - except for its intended use with WATCOM C         *
* or WATCOM Express C.                             *
**********************************************************************

All help topics must be stored in order of the ASCII collating
sequence.  Each topic is identified by a header consisting of a
string of four colons followed by the topic name.  Any alphabetic
characters must be entered in upper-case.

(ordering is based on stricmp() C run-time function which is operates
 identically to:
    stricmp( s1, s2 ) == strcmp( strlwr( s1 ), strlwr( s2 ) )
::::ABOUT
             The WATCOM Execution Profiler
             ═════════════════════════════

           WATCOM Execution Profiler Version 1.2
Copyright by WATCOM Systems Inc. 1989, 1990. All rights reserved.
WATCOM is a trademark of WATCOM Systems Inc.

Technical Support:  phone:  [phone]
            FAX:    [phone]
            BBS:    [phone] (8 bits/1 stop/no parity)

See also: <MAIN_HELP>
::::ABSOLUTE
             Absolute Measurements
             ═════════════════════

Absolute measurements are a result of using the total number of
measurements for the entire execution of the program.  As such,
these measurements reflect the total contribution of a region to
the execution of the program.  Absolute measurements remain the
same regardless of any adjustments to the visible region.

See also: <RELATIVE> <OPTION_HISTOGRAM_TYPE> <OPTION_PERCENTAGE_TYPE>
::::BACKOUT
                Backout
                ═══════

The zoom level will be changed to the previous zoom level. The
previous select region will be identical to the select region that
was used to zoom into the current level.  Successive applications of
this operation will eventually result in the viewing of the entire
program on the screen.

See also: <ZOOM> <ZOOM_MENU> <ZOOM_MODULE> <ZOOM_ROUTINE>
::::COMMAND_LINE_FORMAT
              Command Line Format
              ═══════════════════

The format for invoking the WATCOM Execution Profiler is:

    Usage:    wprof [sample_file]

See also: <DEFAULTS>
::::CONTROL_MENU
                  Control Menu
                  ════════════

Online help can be requested through this menu.     A DOS session can
also be started through this menu.  Changing the current option
settings and asking about the WATCOM Execution Profiler can also
be done through selecting menu items. Finally, the WATCOM Execution
Profiler session can be terminated by selecting the final item.
::::CUT
                  Cut
                  ═══

The amount of information presented by the WATCOM Execution Profiler
may be overwhelming to the user.  To combat this, the WATCOM Execution
Profiler allows lines to be selectively removed from view.  A region
may be selected and cut to accomplish this action.  The cut lines may
be made visible or invisible, also.

See also: <CUT_MENU> <CUT_LINES_VISIBILITY> <UNCUT>
::::CUT_LINES_VISIBILITY
            Making Cut Lines Hidden/Visible
            ═══════════════════════════════

The display of lines that have been cut may be removed from view by
the use of this operation.  To uncut the lines, this operation must
be used to reveal cut lines.

See also: <CUT> <UNCUT> <CUT_MENU>
::::CUT_MENU
                Cut Menu
                ════════

The cut menu contains operations that deal with the "cutting" of lines
that are displayed.  First of all, a line is either "cut" or normal.
Furthermore, a "cut" line may be visible or invisible. The Cut Menu
contains items that allow lines to be changed from normal to "cut"
(by using the "Cut" item).  Lines may be changed from "cut" to normal
by use of the "Uncut" menu item.  In order to uncut a line that has
been cut, it must be visible.  Cut lines are usually invisible but
they can be made visible by using the "Cut Lines Hidden/Visible" menu
item to toggle between these two states.

See also: <CUT> <UNCUT> <CUT_LINES_VISIBILITY>
::::DEFAULTS
             Configuration Defaults
             ══════════════════════

The following defaults are used:

* Sample file extension: ".SMP"
* Executable file extension: ".EXE"
* Source file extension: ".C"
* Source path:    Current directory
* Sample counts are shown for each line
* Lines with no samples are not shown
* Lines with no overlay requests or program marks are not shown
* Absolute percentages are shown for each line
* Histogram indicates relative percentages
* Mixing of source lines within the assembly lines
* Operation code bytes are not shown for assembly lines

See also: <SOURCE_PATH> <OPTIONS>
::::ERROR
                 Errors
                 ══════

Various types of error conditions may arise during the execution of
the WATCOM Execution Profiler.    These errors are reported and must be
acknowledged.  The severity of the error may require the termination
of the WATCOM Execution Profiler after the error is acknowledged.

See also: <TECHNICAL_SUPPORT>
::::FILE
                  File Browser
                  ════════════

The File Browser may be used in situations where a file is required
for continuation of the program or an output file name is required
by the WATCOM Execution Profiler.

See also: <LOAD_OPTIONS> <SAVE_OPTIONS>
::::HELP
               How to use the HELP System
               ══════════════════════════

You are now looking at Help text which can be used to help you
understand the particular component that you are now using.

When the text is too long to be displayed, you can view the next
screenful by pressing the key labelled "PgDn" or "Page Down".
Similarly, the preceding screenful can be viewed by pressing "PgUp" or
"PageUp".

Sometimes the Help text contains references to other text such as
<INDEX> which will allow you to obtain Help about another topic (in
this case, to display the index of help topics for your current
software package). When there is only one such reference visible on
the screen, pressing the Enter key will cause that Help topic to be
displayed. When there is a number of references, the current topic
will be displayed when the Enter key is pressed. You can change the
current topic by successively pressing the TAB-FORWARD, TAB_BACKWARD,
or any of the cursor-positioning keys (denoted with arrows on your
keyboard).

While Help text is being displayed, you can obtain this Help text by
pressing the F1 key. Similary, if you press the F2 key, then an index
for your software will be displayed.

When you have displayed more than one topic, you can switch from topic
to topic by pressing the F3 (view the next topic) or the F4 (view the
last topic) keys.

If your computer has a mouse attached to it, the mouse can be used in
the Help system, with the scroll bar on the right (see <SCROLL_BAR>)
or to select a topic (press and release the leftmost button of the
mouse while the mouse cursor is located on the topic). A scroll bar is
visible only when the current topic is too long to be displayed on the
screen.

See also: <MAIN_HELP> <MENUS> <HOT_SPOTS> <MOUSE>
::::HelpAboutHelp
               How to use the HELP System
               ══════════════════════════

You are now looking at Help text which can be used to help you
understand the particular component that you are now using.

When the text is too long to be displayed, you can view the next
screenful by pressing the key labelled "PgDn" or "Page Down".
Similarly, the preceding screenful can be viewed by pressing "PgUp" or
"PageUp".

Sometimes the Help text contains references to other text such as
<INDEX> which will allow you to obtain Help about another topic (in
this case, to display the index of help topics for your current
software package). When there is only one such reference visible on
the screen, pressing the Enter key will cause that Help topic to be
displayed. When there is a number of references, the current topic
will be displayed when the Enter key is pressed. You can change the
current topic by successively pressing the TAB-FORWARD, TAB_BACKWARD,
or any of the cursor-positioning keys (denoted with arrows on your
keyboard).

While Help text is being displayed, you can obtain this Help text by
pressing the F1 key. Similarily, if you press the F2 key, then an
index for your software will be displayed.

When you have displayed more than one topic, you can switch from topic
to topic by pressing the F3 (view the next topic) or the F4 (view the
last topic) keys.

If your computer has a mouse attached to it, the mouse can be used in
the Help system, with the scroll bar on the right or to select a topic
(press and release the leftmost button of the mouse while the mouse
cursor is located on the topic). A scroll bar is visible only when the
current topic is too long to be displayed on the screen.

See also: <MAIN_HELP> <MENUS> <HOT_SPOTS> <MOUSE>
::::HOT_SPOTS
                   Hot spots
                   ═════════

Hot spots are areas on the screen which contain text indicating
function keys or special keys such as Escape or Enter. You can see a
number areas at the bottom of the area for this help text.

If you have a mouse, clicking the mouse on a hot spot is equivalent to
pressing the indicated key. If you don't have a mouse, then these
areas cannot be used (instead, use the indicated keys from the
keyboard to activate the function).

See also: <HELP> <MAIN_HELP> <MENUS> <MOUSE>
::::INDEX
                 Profiler Index
                 ══════════════

Select the topic on which you need help:
<ABOUT>               <ABSOLUTE>        <BACKOUT>
<COMMAND_LINE_FORMAT>  <CONTROL_MENU>        <CUT>
<CUT_LINES_VISIBILITY> <CUT_MENU>        <DEFAULTS>
<LISTING>           <MARKS>            <MODE_MENU>
<OPERATIONS_MENU>      <OPTIONS>        <OVERLAYS>
<PATH_EDIT>           <QUIT>            <RELATIVE>
<SAMPLES>           <SOURCE_PATH>        <SYSTEM>
<TECHNICAL_SUPPORT>    <THREADS>        <TIME_RANGE>
<UNCUT>               <ZOOM>            <ZOOM_MENU>
<ZOOM_MODULE>           <ZOOM_ROUTINE>

See also: <MENUS> <HOT_SPOTS> <MOUSE> <SCROLL_BAR>
      <HELP> <MAIN_HELP>
::::LISTING
                Analysis Listing
                ════════════════

A file will be generated that lists modules and routines along with
their associated sample counts. In addition, a summary of the sampled
execution will be saved in this file. There are two parts to the
listing of the analysis:

(1) Modules listed in sorted order according to the number of samples
(2) Modules with their contained routines (the modules are in the
    same order as part 1)

See also: <OPERATIONS_MENU> <THREAD_SELECTION> <TIME_RANGE>
      <PATH_EDIT>
::::LOAD_OPTIONS
                  Load Options
                  ════════════

The current settings for options and hidden lines may be saved for
future use through a configuration file.  The state of the WATCOM
Execution Profiler may be loaded in the options form.

See also: <OPTIONS>
::::MAIN_HELP
            How to use the Profiler
            ═══════════════════════

The WATCOM Execution Profiler takes the information from the sample
file (which records a single session of a program's execution) and
displays the results in a graphical form.  Regions of concentrated
activity are visible and can be explored by zooming into the regions
in question.  The quantities measured in the graphical display may be
either samples, overlay loads, or program marks.  Successive zoom
levels increase the detail from modules to routines to source lines
and finally to assembly code.  The zoom levels may be backed out of
in order to try new possibilities.  The interactive nature of the
WATCOM Execution Profiler is an important feature because learning
about the behaviour of the profiled program should be as enjoyable
as possible to encourage experimentation and innovation in attacking
the problems of improving performance.

See also: <SAMPLES> <OVERLAYS> <MARKS> <ZOOM> <BACKOUT> <CUT> <UNCUT>
::::MARK_SELECTION
                 Mark Selection
                 ══════════════

In order to set a time range accurately, a program may insert "marks"
into the sample file so that the sample file contains a record of
the exact time that the execution reached a certain point in the
program.  These marks may be used to set the time range used in the
analysis.  The Mark Selection dialogue box contains any program marks
that are valid in the time range.  A time is displayed for each
program mark.  A mark/time can be selected by using the cursor keys
to move the highlighted line to the desired mark/time and pressing
Enter.    The mouse can be used to select a mark/time by pressing and
releasing the left-most mouse button while the cursor is on top of
the desired mark/time.

See also: <TIME_RANGE>
::::MARKS
                 Program Marks
                 ═════════════

Program marks can be inserted by the programmer to delimit phases
of the program.     The WATCOM Execution Sampler will save any program
mark strings in the sample file along with the time that the mark
occurred during the execution.    The WATCOM Execution Profiler makes
use of this information to display how many marks where initiated
during the execution of the program. The display can be refined by
zooming into regions so that the exact sequence of assembly
instructions that initiated the program mark can be identified.

See also: <SAMPLES> <OVERLAYS> <TIME_RANGE>
::::MENUS
                How to use Menus
                ════════════════

When you start an application, you are presented with a "menu bar" on
the first line of the screen. Each of the names on that line
represents a menu of actions that you can request.

Using the keyboard
══════════════════

You can pull down one of the menus by pressing the Alt key and the
space bar simultaneously. You can then cycle through the menus by
pressing the cursor-right or cursor-left keys.

When a menu is first pulled down, the first item in the menu is
highlighted to indicate that it is the current item. You can press the
cursor-down or the cursor-up keys to change the current item.

If you wish to cancel the menu-selection process, press the Escape key
(Esc) and the current menu will disappear. If you wish to select one
of the actions, use the cursor-up and/or cursor-down keys to make that
action the current item (the high-lighted one) and then press the
Enter key.

ALT key and a letter
════════════════════

When no menus have been pulled down, pressing the Alt key and a letter
key simultaneously will pull down the menu for the first word on the
menu bar that starts with that letter.

When a menu is pulled down, pressing the Alt key and a letter key
simultaneously will select the first item in the menu that starts with
that letter.

Using the mouse (see also <MOUSE>)
══════════════════════════════════

The menu for an item on the menu bar will be pulled down when you
press the leftmost mouse button while the mouse cursor is within that
item. To select an item from the menu, drag the mouse (move the mouse
without releasing the mouse button) so that the mouse cursor is within
the item to be selected and then release the mouse button.

Once a menu has been pulled down, if you drag the mouse to another
word on the menu bar, then the menu for the new word is pulled down.
The menu for the old word will disappear.

If you decide that you wish to cancel the menu-selection process, be
careful to release the mouse button while the mouse cursor is
positioned anywhere except within an item in the menu that is pulled
down.

See also: <HELP> <MAIN_HELP> <HOT_SPOTS> <MOUSE>
::::MODE_MENU
                   Mode Menu
                   ═════════

The Mode menu is used to switch between the three different types of
measurements that can be displayed by the WATCOM Execution Profiler.
These measurements are: samples, overlay loads, and program marks.

See also: <SAMPLES> <OVERLAYS> <MARKS>
::::MOUSE
                Using the Mouse
                ═══════════════

General Information
═══════════════════

The mouse is a pointing device. As you move the mouse, the mouse
cursor (a rectangular box) will move correspondingly about the screen.
Moving the mouse, without pressing any of the button(s) on it has no
effect except to move the mouse cursor.

The first mouse button (the leftmost one) or the only one, depending
upon the particular mouse that you have, is used to signal the
pointing interaction. When you press the button, you are starting a
mouse interaction that is completed when you release that button. The
particular interaction depends on the location of the mouse cursor
when you press the mouse.

The term "click the mouse" means to press and then to immediately
release the leftmost button on the mouse without moving it. Typically,
you click the mouse to select an item or to invert the value of a
check field.

The term "drag the mouse" means to move the mouse while the mouse
button is depressed. Typically, you drag the mouse while a mouse
interaction is not yet complete.

Using the mouse with menus (see also <MENUS>)
═════════════════════════════════════════════

The menu for an item on the menu bar will be pulled down when you
press the leftmost mouse button while the mouse cursor is within that
item. To select an item from the menu, drag the mouse (move the mouse
without releasing the mouse button) so that the mouse cursor is within
the item to be selected and then release the mouse button.

Once a menu has been pulled down, if you drag the mouse to another
word on the menu bar, then the menu for the new word is pulled down.
The menu for the old word will disappear.

If you decide that you wish to cancel the menu-selection process, be
careful to release the mouse button while the mouse cursor is
positioned anywhere except within an item in the menu that is pulled
down.

Using the mouse with Hot Spots
══════════════════════════════

Hot spots are areas on the screen which contain text indicating
function keys or special keys such as Escape or Enter. You can see a
number areas at the bottom of the area for this help text.

If you have a mouse, clicking the mouse on a hot spot is equivalent to
pressing the indicated key. If you don't have a mouse, then these
areas cannot be used (instead, use the indicated keys from the
keyboard to activate the function).

Using the mouse while editing
═════════════════════════════

If you click the mouse on an editable field into which data can be
typed, the keyboard cursor is positioned to the field. The keyboard
position is identical to the position of the mouse cursor if there is
a non-blank character at that position or to the right of that
position; otherwise, the keyboard cusror is positioned immediately
following the right-most non-blank character.

If you click the mouse on a check field, the value of the field is
changed. A check field is preceded by "(*)" to indicate that the value
is true and by "( )" to indicate a false value.

If you click the mouse on a radio button, that button becomes the
active button (and the previous active button becomes inactive). The
active radio button is indicated by "[X]" at the start of the field;
other buttons in that set of radio buttons will start with "[ ]".

In these cases, you don't actually have to click the mouse, although
this is what you would normally do. To be more precise, you must press
the mouse button while the mouse cursor is within the framed window
containing the field in question. The button is released while the
mouse cursor is within the field in question (the mouse could have
been dragged to that field).

See also: <HELP> <MAIN_HELP> <MENUS> <HOT_SPOTS>
::::OPERATIONS_MENU
                Operations Menu
                ═══════════════

The Operations menu is used for requesting miscellaneous operations.
The four operations are: thread selection, time range adjustment,
producing a listing file, and editting the source file path.

See also: <THREAD_SELECTION> <TIME_RANGE> <LISTING> <PATH_EDIT>
::::OPTION_ASSEMBLY_BYTES
        Operation Code Bytes in Assembly Display
        ════════════════════════════════════════

The display of assembly code may include the bytes that make up
each instruction.  The display of sample measurements is not
affected by this option.

See also: <OPTION_ASSEMBLY_SOURCE>
::::OPTION_ASSEMBLY_SOURCE
            Source Code in Assembly Display
            ═══════════════════════════════

The display of assembly code may include the source lines that
were used to create the code.  The display of sample measurements
is not affected by this option.

See also: <OPTION_ASSEMBLY_BYTES>
::::OPTION_HISTOGRAM_TYPE
           Select Type Measured in Histogram
           ═════════════════════════════════

The histogram can graphically display absolute or relative
percentages.  The length of the histogram bar represents the
percentage of samples for that particular line.     By default, the
WATCOM Execution Profiler will display the relative percentages
of each line with the histogram.

See also: <ABSOLUTE> <RELATIVE> <OPTION_PERCENTAGE_TYPE>
::::OPTION_NO_REQUESTS
              Hide Lines with No Requests
              ═══════════════════════════

Hide lines that did not make any overlay load requests or program
marks.    An overlay load request may cause an actual load of code
off disk or may already be satisifed because the section is already
resident.  A line of code that inserts a program mark into the sample
file is viewed in the same manner as a line of code that requests an
overlay load in that all "requests" are displayed while non-requesting
lines may be hidden.  Source code and assembly code are not hidden
because the programmer has to be able to see the context of an
overlay load during analysis.

See also: <OVERLAYS> <OPTION_NO_SAMPLES> <SAMPLES> <MARKS>
::::OPTION_NO_SAMPLES
               Hide Lines with no Samples
               ══════════════════════════

Hide lines which do not have any samples associated with them.
For source code and assembly code, there will be many lines with
no samples recorded.  In this case, the WATCOM Execution Profiler
will display the lines so that the intuitive nature of this option
is preserved (hiding source code could cause problems in analysis
by the programmer).

See also: <SAMPLES> <OPTION_NO_REQUESTS> <OVERLAYS> <MARKS>
::::OPTION_PERCENTAGE
               Display Percentage
               ══════════════════

A percentage for each line may be displayed.  The percentage can
be either absolute or relative.     By default, the WATCOM Execution
Profiler displays the absolute percentage for each line.

See also: <ABSOLUTE> <RELATIVE>
      <OPTION_PERCENTAGE_TYPE> <OPTION_HISTOGRAM_TYPE>
::::OPTION_PERCENTAGE_TYPE
          Change type of percentage displayed
          ═══════════════════════════════════

A percentage for each line may be displayed.  The percentage can
be either absolute or relative.     By default, the WATCOM Execution
Profiler displays the absolute percentage for each line.

See also: <ABSOLUTE> <RELATIVE>
      <OPTION_PERCENTAGE> <OPTION_HISTOGRAM_TYPE>
::::OPTION_SAMPLES
               Display Number of Samples
               ═════════════════════════

The number of samples recorded for each line can often be a valuable
statistic.  By default, the WATCOM Execution Profiler will display
the number of samples recorded for a particular line but if this is
not required, it may be disabled.

See also: <SAMPLES> <OVERLAYS> <MARKS>
::::OPTIONS
                Options
                ═══════

The WATCOM Execution Profiler may be configured in a variety of
manners to suit individual tastes and requirements.

See also:
<OPTION_SAMPLES> <OPTION_NO_SAMPLES> <OPTION_NO_REQUESTS>
<OPTION_PERCENTAGE> <OPTION_PERCENTAGE_TYPE> <OPTION_HISTOGRAM_TYPE>
<OPTION_ASSEMBLY_BYTES> <OPTION_ASSEMBLY_SOURCE>
::::OVERLAYS
                Overlays
                ════════

The WATCOM Execution Sampler can recognize when an program requests
an overlay.  The minimization of these overlay load requests is
important for improving the speed and organization of overlaid
programs.  The WATCOM Execution Profiler displays the number of
overlay load requests that a region initiated.    The display can
be refined by zooming into regions so that the exact sequence
of assembly instructions that initiated the overlay load request
can be identified.

See also: <SAMPLES> <MARKS>
::::PATH_EDIT
                Edit Source Path
                ════════════════

The source path is searched from the top to the bottom of the
edittable list of directories.    The directory browser may be used
to enter a directory into a line (useful for mouse users).  The
directory browser can be activated by pressing F7 or its hot spot.
The current highlighted line may be deleted by pressing F6.  A line
can be inserted before the current line by pressing F5.     The F4 copy
action will insert a line after the current line and copy the contents
of the current line into the new line.    If you want to cancel any
of your changes, press Escape. Pressing Enter will accept the changes
made to the source file path.

See also: <SOURCE_PATH> <OPERATIONS_MENU> <THREAD_SELECTION>
      <TIME_RANGE> <LISTING>
::::QUIT
               Quit from Profiler
               ══════════════════

The WATCOM Execution Profiler will exit and return to the system. All
current settings will be lost unless they have been saved.

See also: <ABOUT>
::::RELATIVE
              Relative Measurments
              ════════════════════

Relative measurements are a result of using all of the measurements
at the current level.  As such, these measurements reflect the
contribution of the current region to the execution of the program.
Relative measurements change whenever the level changes.

See also: <ABSOLUTE> <OPTION_HISTOGRAM_TYPE> <OPTION_PERCENTAGE_TYPE>
::::SAMPLES
                Samples
                ═══════

The WATCOM Execution Sampler sets up the system clock to periodically
interrupt a program during its execution.  Every time the program is
interrupted, the WATCOM Execution Sampler records the location in
memory where the CPU was currently executing instructions.  This
record of the program's activity at a certain point in time is called
a sample.  Portions of the program that make up a substantial amount
of the execution time will be interrupted many times because of the
increased probability of being interrupted.  The WATCOM Execution
Profiler makes use of the collection of addresses to grade regions
of memory by the number of times the program was interrupted.  The
statistical nature of this type of analysis makes it an ideal tool
in identifying portions of the program that consume a lot of
execution time.

See also: <OVERLAYS> <MARKS>
::::SAVE_OPTIONS
                  Save Options
                  ════════════

The current settings for options and hidden lines may be saved for
future use through a configuration file.  The state of the WATCOM
Execution Profiler may be saved in the options form.

See also: <OPTIONS>
::::SCROLL_BAR
                  Scroll Bars
                  ═══════════

A scroll bar is used when the information to be displayed is too large
to fit in a display area. A scroll bar can be vertical (displayed up
and down) when the information is too long and can be horizontal
(displayed left and right) when the information is too wide.

The bar contains two symbols (called icons) at each end plus an area
in the middle which contains a slider that is used to indicate the
relative position of the information being displayed to the total
information. When the display area is too small, the middle area and
the page-up and page-down icons may be eliminated from the scroll bar.

If your computer does not have a mouse attached to it, the scroll bar
is for display purposes only: it will indicate the relative position
of the text being displayed. You can reposition the display text by
pressing the PgUp, PgDn (TAB-FORWARD, TAB-BACKWARD) and the
cursor-positioning keys (denoted with arrows on the keyboard).

When you can use a mouse, the scroll bar can be used to reposition the
information being displayed. First, you must press the leftmost button
of the mouse while the mouse cursor is located on the scroll bar. The
position of the mouse cursor when you release the mouse, determines
the repositioning. If the mouse cursor is not on the scroll bar at
this point, no repositioning will take place. If the cursor is on the
first icon at the top (left) of the scroll bar, the information will
scroll down (right) one line (column). If the cursor is on the first
icon at the bottom (right) of the scroll bar, the information will
scroll up (left) one line (column). If the cursor is on the second
icon at the top (left) of the scroll bar, the information will scroll
down (right) by the size of the display area. If the cursor is on the
second icon at the bottom (right) of the scroll bar, the information
will scroll up (left) by the size of the display area. If the cursor
is in the middle area of the scroll bar, the slider is positioned to
indicate the position of the information to be displayed when the
mouse button is released.
::::SOURCE_PATH
                  Source Path
                  ═══════════

A path specifies an ordering of directories so that files in other
directories may be located. The WATCOM Execution Profiler makes use
of a path for locating source files.  This feature is very similar
to the WATCOM debugger WVIDEO's "SET SOURCE" command.

In the following examples, the * is replaced by the module name:

        C:\PROGRAM\C\*.C
        F:\ANALYSIS\FOR\*.FOR
        L:\LIBRARY\SRC              (*.C is assumed)

WPROF searches the current directory only if no source path is
specified.
::::SYSTEM
                 Exit to System
                 ══════════════

Use this menu item if you wish to start a system session but do not
want to lose your current work in the WATCOM Execution Profiler.
You may return to the WATCOM Execution Profiler from the system
session by typing the "exit" command.  The WATCOM Execution Profiler
will continue executing normally upon completion of the system
session.
::::TECHNICAL_SUPPORT
 ->ABOUT
::::THREAD_SELECTION
                Thread Selection
                ════════════════

All of the threads that were recorded during the execution of the
program are displayed in the dialogue box.  A scroll bar is displayed
if there are many threads.  The "YES" designation means that the
particular thread's contributes to the execution analysis totals.
A thread may be removed from the analysis by changing the "YES"
designation to "no".  This can be done by toggling the particular
thread's status when the thread's line is highlighted.    All of
the threads may be excluded or included in the analysis.  These
operations allow the user to set all threads to a particular status.
At least one thread must be included in the analysis.

See also: <THREADS> <OPERATIONS_MENU> <TIME_RANGE> <LISTING>
      <PATH_EDIT>
::::THREADS
                Threads
                ═══════

Some operating systems support multiple threads of execution in a
program.  The WATCOM Execution Sampler records activity for each
thread in the program.    The WATCOM Execution Profiler can make use
of this information to allow a user to analyze a single thread's
execution or a combination of threads' execution.  Initially, the
WATCOM Execution Profiler will analyze the program with the data
for all threads.  The threads that were recorded during execution
can be viewed and adjusted for subsequent analysis.  Any subset
of the recorded threads (that contains at least one thread) may
be analyzed.

See also: <THREAD_SELECTION>
::::TIME_RANGE
                   Time Range
                   ══════════

Select the time range from which to select samples. The TAB keys
switches between left and right. CTRL/LEFT and CTRL/RIGHT move the
highlighted pointer on the bar left and right, respectively. Zoom
and Backout control the resolution for time changes. Zoom will allow
increased fine-tuning of the time range while Backout will move back
to the previous level of coarse adjustment of the time range. Enter
accepts the changes, and adjusts the samples, before returning to
the main screen. Escape cancels the whole operation, and returns to
the main screen.

See also: <MARK_SELECTION> <OPERATIONS_MENU> <THREAD_SELECTION>
      <LISTING> <PATH_EDIT>
::::UNCUT
                 Uncut
                 ═════

This operation will restore the selected lines from being "cut" to
normal status.    The cut lines must not be hidden for this operation
to work because of the requirement for a selected region.

See also: <CUT_MENU> <CUT_LINES_VISIBILITY> <CUT>
::::ZOOM
                  Zoom
                  ════

The WATCOM Execution Profiler allows a region to be examined by
zooming into it.  The zoom operation increases the amount of detail
that is visible.  The detail changes from modules, to routines, to
source lines, and finally to assembly code.  Successive applications
of this operation will eventually result in the viewing of a small
portion of the program in assembly code on the screen.

See also: <BACKOUT> <ZOOM_MENU> <ZOOM_MODULE> <ZOOM_ROUTINE>
::::ZOOM_MENU
                   Zoom Menu
                   ═════════

The Zoom Menu allows you to control the zooming operation. A single
module or routine can be zoomed into through this menu. Zooming into
and out of highlighted regions can also be done through these menu
items.

See also: <ZOOM> <BACKOUT> <ZOOM_MODULE> <ZOOM_ROUTINE>
::::ZOOM_MODULE
                  Module Zoom
                  ═══════════

Programs with many different modules can prove cumbersome to work with
during interaction with the WATCOM Execution Profiler.    It is with
this in mind that a short-cut has been provided to quickly zoom into
a module.  The module name may be typed in directly.

See also: <ZOOM> <BACKOUT> <ZOOM_MENU> <ZOOM_ROUTINE>
::::ZOOM_ROUTINE
                  Routine Zoom
                  ════════════

Programs with many different routines can prove cumbersome to work
with during interaction with the WATCOM Execution Profiler.  It is
with this in mind that a short-cut has been provided to quickly zoom
into a routine.     The routine name may be typed in directly.

See also: <ZOOM> <BACKOUT> <ZOOM_MENU> <ZOOM_MODULE>