[dtrace-discuss] Visualizing a call graph

Amit k. Saha
Mon, 24 Nov 2008 11:36:11 -0000

Hi again!


On Mon, Nov 24, 2008 at 5:03 PM, Jon Haslam <Jonathan.Haslam at sun.com>
wrote:
>
>> This is what exactly what I have in mind. Did you do it the way I am
>> thinking? The ''jzgraph'' project is well but dead. So,
probably I shall
>> have to generate a ''dot'' file and then externally
feed it to ''dotty''.
>
> Firstly, the approach you''re taking is OK but you''ll
probably
> run into some issues with tail calls and recursion. I''ll try and
dig
> up the stuff I originally used and send it to you.
>
> You''re right in that the jzgraph project is dead (or at least
appears
> to be). However, if you want/need an API into the dot routing
> algorithms then it''s still a good piece of software to use.
Generating
> dot files and feeding to dotty will be fine if you just want static
> images.

Yes. As of now, I need static images. So, i will take a look at
''jzgraph''.  I will be waiting for the scripts from you :-)

>
>>> Simon Ritter improved on this first pass attempt and developed a
more
>>> interactive experience for generating call graphs:
>>>
>>> http://blogs.sun.com/simonri/entry/i_m_sorry_dave_i
>>>
>>> The software that Simon developed (called ''DAVE'')
is actually pretty
>>> nice. The last time I saw it you could graph Java and native
methods
>>> together and even do some database related graphing.
>>>
>>> Over this summer though Simon and I have taken this idea one step
>>> further.
>>> We''re now using the Java Monkey Engine (a 3D games engine)
to visualise
>>> the graphs (we''re still obviously using DTrace as the
instrumentation
>>> technology and the graphviz libraries for the core graph
generation).
>>> Using the Monkey Engine we can generate interactive 3D call graphs
>>> which we can move through and manipulate in 3D object space. In
fact,
>>> rather gratuitously really, we''ve implemented an anaglyph
technique so
>>> you
>>> can even wear 3D glasses (red/cyan) so the graph comes out the
screen at
>>> you! All good fun.
>>
>> Ah awesome fun. Any blog posts/etc?
>
> As usual from me, I haven''t got around to blogging about it yet.
I''ll
> try and get a blog done about it soon and hopefully a video so you can
> dig your 3D glasses out!

Cool :-)

-Amit