TraceIT

A tool for tracing and debugging already running programs.

It works by using defines for logging information in your C-code in the format

TRACE(LOG_DEBUG, "This is a test");

If the above is run, by default you will get the output send to your syslog, see section "Environment Variables" for more info.

Available log levels are:

• LOG_EMERG
• LOG_ALERT
• LOG_CRIT
• LOG_ERR
• LOG_WARNING
• LOG_NOTICE
• LOG_INFO
• LOG_DEBUG

If no trace.conf file is loaded only log level above LOG_INFO will be output.

trace.conf

Configuration file common for all programs using TraceIT, unless you choose to specify otherwise using environment variables. Default location is /etc/trace.conf

Format of traceconf is basically:

<programname> <sourcefile> <function>

Example:

wolf foobar.c hello

would enable tracing of program wolf in the file foobar.c for the function hello.

Wildcards are allowed so a good starting for debugging your program:

wolf * *

Would enable trace for all files in program wolf, and for all functions.

To toggle debugging on and off prepend the line with +/-, so to disable trace for wolf do:

- wolf * *

Also, wildcards can be used in function and file names, so valid trace.conf would be:

wolf foo*.[Cc] fun_*

Environment variables

TRACEFILE can be set as an environment variable. If you would like to trace to a specific file:

TRACEFILE=/var/log/myfile

or if you would like output to stdout, simple:

TRACEFILE=

TRACECONF can be used as an alternative path to the TraceIT configuration file:

TRACECONF=/etc/alttrace.conf

Usage, the important files

libtrace.a

Library to link against.

traceit

A shell script provided that is used to change the content of trace.conf on the fly.

License

Distributed under LGPL. Use it, but don't change the license and please send constructive feedback and changes/additions back.

For the greater good..

Contact

Jesper L. Nielsen <lyager\gmail.com>