Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates creating a hierarchical model from a programming language file that includes components. The system operates by obtaining a component from the programming language file. Upon obtaining the component, the system passes an encoder to the component and requests that the component encode itself using the encoder, thereby causing the encoder to generate elements in the hierarchical model. Each element includes an attribute that identifies the component, thereby allowing the component to be subsequently identified by referencing the attribute in the corresponding element in the hierarchical model.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for performing time measurements during instrumentation-based profiling. The system operates by first measuring time required to execute instrumentation code in isolation. Next, it receives the code to be profiled (user application), inserts the instrumentation code into it, and executes this combined code. The system then measures the time it takes to execute the combined code. Finally, it subtracts the previously obtained instrumentation code execution time from the total combined code execution time, thus obtaining the exact execution time for the user application.