Abstract: A technique for flexibly adding instrumentation to an application. A file is created which includes a dynamic parameter syntax. The file identifies a trace point in the application, such as a method, and the syntax includes one or more parameters which are evaluated when the method is invoked. The parameters can be used to provide cross-process correlation and/or performance metrics. A client process which calls a server process can include the parameter in a message header according to any desired transport protocol, such as HTTP or JMS. Different application protocols and implementation can be accommodated to track a transaction which executes on different platforms. The dynamic parameter syntax is interpreted as uncompiled code and is designed to be added by the user in the field to augment a package of pre-built instrumentation software after the package has been deployed.

Abstract: A technique for flexibly adding instrumentation to an application. A file is created which includes a dynamic parameter syntax. The file identifies a trace point in the application, such as a method, and the syntax includes one or more parameters which are evaluated when the method is invoked. The parameters can be used to provide cross-process correlation and/or performance metrics. A client process which calls a server process can include the parameter in a message header according to any desired transport protocol, such as HTTP or JMS. Different application protocols and implementation can be accommodated to track a transaction which executes on different platforms. The dynamic parameter syntax is interpreted as uncompiled code and is designed to be added by the user in the field to augment a package of pre-built instrumentation software after the package has been deployed.