I asked Chat GPT...
Far too late at night for me to read / understand the response
How do I run a CPU performance profiler over a [TestMethod] in my c# unit
test project.
ChatGPT
Running a CPU performance profiler over a [TestMethod] in your C# unit test
project involves several steps and can be accomplished using various tools.
The most straightforward way to profile a specific test method is to use
Visual Studio's built-in performance profiling tools, assuming you are
using Visual Studio. Here's how to do it:
Using Visual Studio Performance Profiler
Prepare Your Test Project:
Ensure that your unit test project is correctly set up and that the
[TestMethod] you wish to profile can be executed successfully.
Open Performance Profiler:
In Visual Studio, go to the Debug menu.
Select Performance Profiler This option might be found under Other
Windows or Profile in different versions of Visual Studio.
Choose the Profiling Method:
In the Performance Profiler, several profiling options are available, such
as CPU Usage, Memory Usage, etc. For CPU performance, ensure CPU Usage is
checked.
Click Start.
Run the Specific Test:
The profiler will start, and Visual Studio will switch to a profiling mode.
Now, navigate to the Test Explorer.
Find the [TestMethod] you want to profile.
Right-click on the test method and select Run. If your test project
contains multiple tests and you only want to profile a specific one, make
sure only that test is set to run.
Analyze the Results:
Once the test completes, the Performance Profiler will gather the CPU usage
data and present it to you.
You can analyze the report to see where most of the CPU time is spent. The
report will show you the call tree, hot paths, and other details that help
identify performance bottlenecks.
Tips for Effective Profiling:
Isolate the Test: If possible, isolate the test you are profiling to
minimize noise from other tests or operations.
Use Release Mode: Run your tests in Release mode rather than Debug mode to
get a more accurate representation of performance, as the compiler
optimizations are different.
Repeat Tests: To ensure consistency, consider running the profiler multiple
times and averaging the results, as performance can vary from run to run.
Alternative Tools:
If you're not using Visual Studio or if you're looking for more advanced
profiling options, there are several third-party tools available that can
profile .NET applications, such as:
JetBrains dotTrace: A performance profiler for .NET applications that can
integrate with unit testing frameworks to profile specific tests.
Redgate ANTS Performance Profiler: Another profiler that can attach to .NET
processes, including test runners, to gather performance data.
Visual Studio Code with Extensions: If you're using Visual Studio Code,
extensions like .NET Core Test Explorer can be used in conjunction with
external profiling tools.
When using third-party tools, the general approach involves running your
unit test suite with the profiler attached, similar to how you would
profile any .NET application. However, the specifics will vary based on the
tool, so consult the documentation for detailed instructions.
Remember, performance profiling can sometimes introduce its own overhead,
so interpret the results with an understanding of what might be profiling
artifacts versus genuine performance issues in your code.
Greg Harris
On Thu, Feb 15, 2024 at 2:10 PM Greg Keogh via ozdotnet <
ozdotnet@ozdotnet.com> wrote:
> It's not Friday, but I can't find any way of running the CPU performance
> profiler over a [TestMethod] in my unit test project.
>
> Web searches produce no useful results, some hint that I can right-click a
> test in the test explorer and pick Profile..., but I have no such menu.
>
> Is this possible or not? If so, what's the trick?
>
> P.S. I often use the profiler for commands or GUI apps, but in that case
> you set breakpoint #1 and start the profiler, then at breakpoint #2 you
> stop it and collect the results. That doesn't work for a unit test method
> (so far...).
>
> *Greg*
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