linux-kernel - Re: [PATCH 2/2] ftrace: document basic ftracer/ftracer graph needs

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Date:	Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:04:56 -0400 (EDT)
From:	Steven Rostedt <rostedt@...dmis.org>
To:	Mike Frysinger <vapier@...too.org>
cc:	linux-kernel@...r.kernel.org
Subject: Re: [PATCH 2/2] ftrace: document basic ftracer/ftracer graph needs



On Wed, 10 Jun 2009, Mike Frysinger wrote:

> While implementing ftracer and ftracer graph support, I found the exact
> arch implementation details to be a bit lacking (and my x86 foo ain't
> great).  So after pounding out support for the Blackfin arch, document
> the requirements.
> 
> Signed-off-by: Mike Frysinger <vapier@...too.org>
> ---
>  Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt |    7 ++++++
>  kernel/trace/Kconfig           |   43 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
>  2 files changed, 50 insertions(+), 0 deletions(-)
> 
> diff --git a/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt b/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt
> index 5ad2ded..e9f0527 100644
> --- a/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt
> +++ b/Documentation/trace/ftrace.txt
> @@ -27,6 +27,13 @@ disabled, and more (ftrace allows for tracer plugins, which
>  means that the list of tracers can always grow).
>  
>  
> +Implementation Details
> +----------------------
> +
> +See kernel/trace/Kconfig for details about different options and
> +the required architecture pieces.
> +
> +
>  The File System
>  ---------------
>  
> diff --git a/kernel/trace/Kconfig b/kernel/trace/Kconfig
> index 417d198..be936c9 100644
> --- a/kernel/trace/Kconfig
> +++ b/kernel/trace/Kconfig
> @@ -14,9 +14,46 @@ config HAVE_FTRACE_NMI_ENTER
>  
>  config HAVE_FUNCTION_TRACER
>  	bool
> +	help
> +	  Implement support for the _mcount() function (or whatever your
> +	  toolchain names it), and the ftrace_stub function (which only
> +	  does a return).
> +
> +	  The _mcount() function should check the function pointer
> +	  ftrace_trace_function to see if it is set to ftrace_stub.  If
> +	  it is, there is nothing for you to do -- return.  If it isn't,
> +	  then call it the same way the _mcount() function normally calls
> +	  __mcount_internal() -- the first argument is the "frompc" while
> +	  the second argument is the "selfpc" (adjusted to remove the size
> +	  of the embedded _mcount() call).
> +
> +	  For example, if the function foo() calls bar(), when the bar()
> +	  function calls _mcount(), the arguments to the tracer are:
> +	    "frompc" - the address bar() will use to return to foo()
> +	    "selfpc" - the address bar() (with _mcount() size adjustment)
>  
>  config HAVE_FUNCTION_GRAPH_TRACER
>  	bool
> +	help
> +	  Update your _mcount() function to check the function pointers
> +	  ftrace_graph_return (compare to ftrace_stub) and ftrace_graph_entry
> +	  (compare to ftrace_graph_entry_stub).  If either of those are not
> +	  set to the relevant stub function, call the arch-specific function
> +	  ftrace_graph_caller which in turn calls the arch-specific function
> +	  prepare_ftrace_return.
> +
> +	  The arguments to prepare_ftrace_return() are slightly different.
> +	  The first argument will instead be a pointer to the "frompc" --
> +	  typically located in the stack.  This allows the function to
> +	  hijack the return address temporarily to have it point to the
> +	  arch-specific function return_to_handler().  For exact details of
> +	  how to implement prepare_ftrace_return(), consult an existing port.
> +	  It is fairly straight forward C code.
> +
> +	  The return_to_handler() function is simple as well.  Have it call
> +	  the common ftrace_return_to_handler() function.  The return value
> +	  is the original return address, so restore this to the right place
> +	  and return.

This does not belong in the Kconfig. That's the last place a developer 
will look for implementing something. I would recommend adding a

  Documentation/trace/ftrace-function-implementation.txt

file.

-- Steve

>  
>  config HAVE_FUNCTION_TRACE_MCOUNT_TEST
>  	bool
> @@ -25,11 +62,17 @@ config HAVE_FUNCTION_TRACE_MCOUNT_TEST
>  	 variable at the mcount call site. Otherwise, this variable
>  	 is tested by the called function.
>  
> +	 It is of course optional for arches, but does improve performance
> +	 a bit as it prevents constant state saving and call overhead when
> +	 the function tracer is actually disabled.
> +
>  config HAVE_DYNAMIC_FTRACE
>  	bool
>  
>  config HAVE_FTRACE_MCOUNT_RECORD
>  	bool
> +	help
> +	  See scripts/recordmcount.pl for more info.
>  
>  config HAVE_HW_BRANCH_TRACER
>  	bool
> -- 
> 1.6.3.1
> 
> 
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