Instrumentation (computer programming)

This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. Please help to improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (December 2013) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

In computer programming, instrumentation is the act of modifying software so that analysis can be performed on it.

Generally, instrumentation either modifies source code or binary code.

Instrumentation enables profiling: ^[1] measuring dynamic behavior during a test run. This is useful for properties of a program that cannot be analyzed statically with sufficient precision, such as performance and alias analysis.

Instrumentation can include:

• Logging events such failures and operation start and end ^[2]
• Measuring and logging the duration of operations