Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for a profiling system wherein profile data is stored in a separable hierarchical fashion such that profile data for each compiled procedure in a computer program can be readily identified and utilized. In particular, each source module has a corresponding profile data file and each procedure has a corresponding procedure profile area. The system and method also includes a mechanism for verifying the existence and validity of profile information, and a mechanism for handling invalid profile information.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method are provided for defining visibility boundaries in compiled code of an optimizing compiler used with a digital computer for converting a source program to an object code. The source program is received and a first intermediate representation of the source program is generated. A pseudo operation representing a predetermined event is inserted in the first intermediate representation. Sequential operations of the first intermediate representation including the inserted pseudo operations are processed for defining an internal data structure of the source program. A visibility boundary for a selected variable is identified responsive to identifying a pseudo operation in the first intermediate representation.