Binary Probing utility (BProber)

Overview BProber is a tool that instruments binary executable files running on the AIX® and Linux® on POWER™ platforms. The tool enables instrumentation of a given executable file with user-supplied code. In addition, it has built-in code coverage and profiling capabilities. Function-level code coverage information can be imported to FoCuS, and profile information can be loaded into Code Analyzer. BProber is built on top of FDPR-Pro. It uses FDPR-Pro's code analysis capabilities to generate an internal representation of the binary executable file. Once analyzed, the executable is instrumented by inserting calls to built-in or user-supplied functions at specific locations in the code. BProber supports large programs that can exceed 32 MB of code. It handles both 32-bit and 64-bit program files and shared libraries, compiled with aggressive optimization options, including profile-based and linker optimizations. The instrumentation is done without the necessity of recompiling the instrumented application. BProber is mainly useful for enabling: Program monitoring Program verification and coverage Profiling Program patching BProber is available for use through the IBM alphaWorks site.